::nods:: Its extra special at school b/c we're not allowed to have candles or anything in the dorms (I bought my friend and I electric tea lights for our Diwali home puja)...but because of that...I love going early for our group satsangs and setting up everything ...carrying the deities out of the closet and put them on the table, setting up the aarti plate and putting out the prasad...I always show to do this because to me its also part of the ritual...each special care ...singing when I set up ...when the others show up to help...sometimes they sing also...its very special...same with clean up... its all silent adn sacred w/ sacred quiet singing of self reflection...its a very special part of my week...
Jedi, actually you can get little agnihotra kits in the US that work very well, are clean and easy to use. They even send you the fuel on a regular basis. Try www.agnihotra.org.
Thank you for that, but as I have said earlier, it is not easy. Especially when you live in an apartment made out of wood, and the surroundings are types of places where lighting a fire equals an arson charge. Its ok, we do our best and surrender all our inclinations - good and bad to God, so we do our best to follow dharma. If Agnihotra can't be done according to the surrounding authorities, thats the way it is.
Not to criticize or anything, but I was just reminded of something my teacher loved to quote: There are those who see opportunities in every obstacle and those who see obstacles in every opportunity.
