Shivalya of Downtown Chicago facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shivalya of Downtown Chicago |
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|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 41°53′30″N 87°38′11″W / 41.891801°N 87.636342°W |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| Locale | Chicago |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Modern |
| History and governance | |
| Website | http://www.shivalya.org/ |
The Shivalya of Downtown Chicago (often called SDC) is a Hindu temple and cultural center. It is located right in the middle of downtown Chicago, Illinois. People who wanted a place to pray and meditate started this center. It is a peaceful spot for people living in downtown Chicago.
At SDC, people pray to many different Hindu gods and goddesses. These include Ganesh, Shiv-ling, Shiv and Parvati, Durga, Kartikey, Vishnu (Balaji) and Lakshmi, Sri Ram, Sita and Lakshman, Sri Hanuman, Sri Krishna and Radha, and Saraswati. A special ceremony called Pran-pratishtha for Shiv Nagabharanam happened on March 10, 2013.
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What Happens Every Week?
The Shivalya has daily prayers, called poojas, that start at 6:30 PM. After that, a big prayer ceremony called Maha-arati happens around 7 PM.
Here's what happens on different days:
- Monday: Shiv abhishek (a special offering to Lord Shiva)
- Tuesday: Hanuman Chalisa (chanting hymns for Lord Hanuman)
- Wednesday: Group recitals (people read or sing together)
- Thursday: Sri Krishna bhajans (devotional songs for Lord Krishna)
- Friday: Vishnu Sahasranam parayanam (chanting the thousand names of Lord Vishnu)
Weekends are busy with fun activities for both kids and adults. On Sundays, a sponsored lunch is served for everyone.
Big Festivals and Events
The Shivalya celebrates many important Hindu festivals throughout the year. These are special times for the community to come together and celebrate.
Some of the main festivals include:
- Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri: Usually in January
- Basant Panchami: Usually in February
- Shiv-ratri: Usually in February or March
- Holi: Usually in February or March
- Ram-navami: Usually in April
- Hanuman Jayanti: Usually in April
- Akshay Tritiya: Usually in May
- Nag-panchami: Usually in August
- Raksha Bandhan: Usually in August
- Krishna Janmashtami: Usually in August
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Usually in September
- Nav-ratri/Dashera/Durga Pooja: Usually in September or October
- Karwa Chauth: Usually in October
- Deepavali/Diwali: Usually in October or November
- Vaikund-ekadashi: Usually in December
Cultural Center for Learning
The Shivalya wants to be a place where kids growing up in downtown Chicago can learn. The SDC cultural center offers different classes for kids of all ages. These classes happen on Saturdays and Sundays.
Both new and experienced learners are welcome at the cultural center.
- Yoga classes help you stay fit and calm.
- The Weekend School teaches music, arts, religion, and languages.
- Meditation Sessions help you relax and focus your mind.
About the Building
The temple has a prayer hall where people gather to pray. There's also an auditorium for bigger events and a library with books, audio, and video materials. An elevator makes it easy to move around the building. You can find parking on the street or in a nearby garage.
The temple is open during these hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 7 PM
Find Shivalya Online
You can connect with the Shivalya of Downtown Chicago on the internet!
- Website: www.shivalya.org
- Facebook: Shivalya Temple on Facebook
- Twitter: @shivalyatemple
- Google+: Shivalya on Google+
