Namaskarams, We have compiled things to consider for all Ritwiks, Following the guidelines will enhance the sanctity

of whole function and minimize unknown and known Abhacharams. Requirement: 1. MUST be performing Sandhyavandanam regularly. 2. MUST complete at least 5000 Gayatri japa before the event. 3. MUST have learnt the required Mantras (Sri Rudram, Chamakam, and Purushasooktam) from a trained Guru. General: 1. Absolutely, no usage of pagers, cell phones, blackberries or any other communication devices during japa/homa/archana times. 2. We will send an update with names of a few volunteers (non-ritwiks) with their numbers who can take messages during the sessions. 3. Do not get up during Parayanam except when the Pradhana Acharya says so. 4. Please follow the vaidheekas to keep in sync with the parayana recitals. Time : 1. Please plan on being at the location on May 14 and May 15. Directions are available at the temple website (http://www.iowahindutemple.org). 2. Detailed program will be published at maharudram.net shortly and we will send another update. Text Materials: 1. Please bring your own copies of the following a) Mahanyasam b) Shri Rudram/Chamakam (Recitation without book is preferred). c) Sukthams (Purusha, Manyu, Devi, Durga, Medha, Sri,Vishnu, Hiranya, Narayana) d) Pancha Shanthi e) Shri Rudra Krama Archana f) Shri Lakshmi Narayana Archana (if planning to attend on Fri) g) Shri Rudra Ghanam h) Taittiriya upanishad 2. We have published stothrams/guru vandanams (Sanskrit) that are normally chanted in our website at maharudram.net under the downloads link. You may print and bring copies. 3. Carry only the required text materials for the session inside the parayana area. Rest of your books/bags can be left outside the hall. Attire : 1. DO NOT SHAVE on all the days of the event 2. The dress code for the event will be the traditional Panchakatcham with angavastram for married ritwiks and regular veshti with angavastram for brahmacharis (no shirts/banians) 3. Please eat only what is offered to Ritwiks during the event.

4. Always wash your feet and hands and do Achamanam before entering the Parayana Hall/Yagashala, if you happen to use the restroom or after you eat or drink anything during the event 5. Plan on having an extra set of Vastrams. Those who want to use Deeksha Vastrams for any such future functions, can change with a regular Vastram (PanchaKatcham) before having lunch or dinner. No need to change vastram for having Liquid Aharams. Please note that after the first recital on the 14th, change to regular vastram and preserve the Deeksha vastram for the recital on the 15th. Guidelines for pankti-bhojanam : 1. Do not change to casual attire, till the bhojanam is finished. 2. Do your madhyahnikam before taking lunch and Sayam Sandhya before dinner/palaharam and remember to keep your panchapatram+uddharani with you. 3. Do pariseshanam before starting to eat. Wait for the host to offer teertham before eating. 4. After completing the bhojanam, don't get up immediately. The host will offer teertham to conclude. 5. Trisuparna mantra can be recited while food is being served initially. Otherwise, just do general namasankirtanam (avoid other loukika discussions during this time). The event gets completed only when the ritwik bhojanam is completed. 6. Do not sip the cup when drinking water/milk/kanchi etc.