Navaratri Celebrations in Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas
30.09.2008 - 09.10.2008
The
Celebrations of Sharadiya Navaratri in Omkarananda
Ashram started with the 'Kalasha Sthapana' on the
auspicious day of 'Prathama Navaratri'. In the morning
Special Pooja and Hawana were performed of Mata
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda,
Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and
Siddhidatri according to the sequential order during the
nine days.
Every form of Maha-Durga has
its own significance, importance and power.
First form of Maha-Durga is 'Shailaputri'.
The literal translation of the word 'Shailaputri' is
'Daughter of Mountain' i.e. 'Parvati, the Daughter of
Himalaya'. She is also worshipped in the 'Mooladhara
Chakra' of the Kundalini and She bestows Beauty and
Strength.
Second
form is 'Brahmacharini'. She is the goddess of celibacy
and purification. She is the store-house of knowledge
and wisdom. She also purifies the heart and mind of the
worshippers because knowledge and wisdom can only be
attained when there is purification and celibacy in
life.
'Chandraghanta' is the
motherly form of Maha Durga showering peace, serenity,
beauty, enchantment and ecstasy. She is the light which
shines during the darkness of difficulties of our life.
'Kushmanda' emanates a solar
aura and she is the knowledge of cosmic intricacies in
the human race.
'Skandamata' is Lord
Kartikeya's mother who is also called as Skanda. She is
the motherly figure which is the power that changes you,
transforms you internally and externally, so that the
Sadhaka can continue his spiritual journey without any
obstacles.
'Katyayani' is the form which
became the daughter of 'Maharshi Katyayana' and
henceforth called as 'Katyayani'. She cuts the cycle of
life and death.
'Kalaratri' is the
personification of the enemy of darkness and ignorance
and She is the slayer of the evil spirits. Though She
has a fearsome appearance, She is always auspicious in
effect and the giver of inexhaustible virtues, so She is
also called as 'Shubhankari'.
'Mahagauri' is the eighth form
of Maha Durga and She radiates Peace and Compassion from
Her being. This day holds a lot of significance among
the devotees and is also called as 'Maha-Ashtami'.
'Siddhidatri' is the giver of
all forms of achievements (Siddhis), which according to
the Markandeya Purana are Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima,
Prapti, Prakamya, Ishitva and Vashitva.
Beautiful
dance was performed in the Divine Presence of Maa Durga
by Kumari Somashekhari and her students on the special
occasion of Maha-Ashtami. Spectators were truly immersed
in the dance and when the dance was finished, it took
them few seconds to applause it.
On ninth night Saraswati and
Chandi Yagna were performed for the whole night and 'Poornahuti'
(conclusion of the ceremony) by H.H. Swami
Vishveshwarananda Saraswati was done on 'Vijaya Dashami',
along with performance of special poojas.
During the
'Kanya and Suvasini Pooja' nine small girls and a
Suvasini were invited as different forms of Devi and
they were gifted with all the adornment items.
Apart from these Pujas, 11
Brahmins were also invited for the 'Brahma Bhoj'.
Our Pujya Gurudev Swami
Omkarananda said: 'This Consciousness of the Divine
Mother, which is everywhere, the infinite Consciousness,
is Light, Fire. Fire is always pure. Completely pure.
This all-seeing Eye of the omnipresent, omnipotent
Divine Mother is Meenakshi, absolute purity, absolute
beauty, absolute perfection - and these are all one and
the same. Without purity no perfection, no beauty.
Meenakshi is everywhere present.' So, Navaratri is the
festival of the absolute Divinity, absolute Beauty and
absolute Perfection.
During the
celebrations, every day in the morning Tripurasundari
Nava-Avarana Pooja, Mandap Pooja and Chandi Parayana
were performed by the temple priests and in the evening,
Hawana was performed accordingly.
The whole environment had
become even more divine during those ten days and
everyone visiting the temple felt the inner bliss.
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