Ganesh Chaturthi festival Friday!

This Friday, August 25, gathering at 5:15pm, the OAO community will be observing the beautiful Ganesh Chaturthi holiday as part of the 10-day Indian Festival of Ganesh! The term "Chaturthi" refers to the fourth day after any given new moon; this particular day belongs exclusively to Lord Ganapti and celebrates his mythical birthday. This is one of our most beloved events of the year, and the key themes of this festival are joy, abundance, and LOVE on all levels! We hope you will join us for this meditative Sanskrit puja service, Indian feast, and evening of Kirtan chant.

OAO's Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is this Friday, and guests are welcome to arrive beginning at 5:15pm to browse books, meditate, enjoy devotional bhajans (music, mantras, chants) and sculpt small Ganesh statues before we begin a traditional hour-long Sanskrit puja (ritual service) beginning at 7pm. Afterward, we are blessed to have the multitalented Cami, Rain and Richard performing sacred Kirtan chant and poetry! (We may also be gifted with some live singing by Raj Roy!) After music, we will have delicious prasada (blessed food) of traditional vegetarian curries and other Indian foods lovingly prepared by Priestess Estha McNevin, temple members, and devoted volunteers!

Suggested Offerings: Fresh fruit (especially organic bananas, mangoes, coconuts, coconut milk/water, and mixed fruit), fresh flowers, dried nuts and fruits, your favorite sweets, natural incense, and anything at all that you feel called to offer the deities or the temple. (We are also exceedingly grateful for cleanup volunteers!)

Details: This is a no-charge event, although *donations are greatly appreciated and encouraged,* as this supports the work of our nonprofit temple. We greatly rely on your contributions to keep our doors open and keep the community strong. Also, please feel free to bring your friends and family! (If this is your first time coming to an OAO event, don't be shy!) You may also wish to bring your own Ganesh murtis (sculptures) from your own shrine to be blessed with a Prana Pratithshita (consecrating/imbuing a statue). Please be sure to dress nicely, perhaps choosing to wear South Asian clothing and garments (though there is no dress code), and please remove shoes and socks at the door. Please let us know if you have any questions. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha!

Namaste, Sat Nam, Om Shanti,

Opus Aima Obscurae, 501c3

Mission Statement: To serve as a rural temple, ceremonial space and educational resource center for the study of global earth-based spirituality; offering a creative multicultural environment for the practice of esoteric rituals, humanities education & community-supported agriculture.

More information: Opus Aima Obscurae, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is Missoula's first multicultural Neopagan Temple & Farm. OAO's influences range from Wicca to Hinduism, and members believe that love and wisdom can be found in all spiritual paths. OAO frequently offers multicultural workshops, Open Library Days, community farming and gardening, public seasonal ceremonies, Tarot consultations, healing rituals and personal Rites of Passage. They can be reached at temple@opusaimaobscurae.org

Location: 9463 Upper Miller Creek Rd. (4.5 miles UP from Brooks, on the right)
Landline: 406.926.1802 / Cell: 406.207.1171
Web: www.opusaimaobscurae.org & www.facebook.com/opusaimaobscurae