|
Brahmotsava-Celebration
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir
20th & 21st March 2008
 The
spiritual fragrance raised by the Mahakala-Bhairava Mandir Inauguration
was still in the air and soon after that the Ashram witnessed another
great spiritual function – the Brahmotsava of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
Mandir.
The morning celebrations of the 20th March started at the
Yagnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir with Ganapati Kalasha
Sthapana, Maha Ganapati Puja, Ganapati Avahana and Maha Ganapati Hawana.
This was followed by the Abhisheka of Omkara-Ganapati with the sacred
water of the Kalasha by our Chief Priest, Suresh Panditji, in the presence
of Swami Vishveshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda, Kumari Somashekhari and
other residents and devotees of the Ashram. The morning worship came to
conclusion with Arati and Prasad distribution.
 The
evening programme began with the Sahasra Kalasha Sthapana – installing one
thousand earthen pots with sacred water followed by Kalasha Sthapana for
every Pratishtha Murti in the Temple, Sthapana Puja of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi,
Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati and Navaavarana Archana. These Sthapana Pujas
have tremendous spiritual significance and form the base for the main
Pujas to follow. The beautiful looking small earthen pots, thousand in
number, filled with holy Ganga water, stand for 1000 forms or aspects of
Shri Lalita Mahatripurasundari, who is the same as Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.
 The
thousand names of the most beautiful Devi, the Lalita Sahasranama, were
recited by our Pandits and with each name a different earthen pot was
worshipped with flowers, rice, etc. It was about 11 pm night when Arati
was performed and Prasad distributed.
The Brahmotsava day, 21st
March, began with Navagraha Homa followed by Moola Mantra Hawana for all
the Pratishtha Devatas of the Temple, Shri Lalita Sahasranama Hawana and
Purnahuti. Then began the Uttarangam Puja – a process necessary, so that
all holy Kalashas can be taken from the Altar and carried in a procession.
Swami Vishveshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda and Kumari Somashekhari,
along with our Temple-Priests and some Ashram Residents and devotees
started the Kalasha Yatra – that is the Parikrama (procession) around the
Temple with the water Kalashas – sanctified by all these Pujas. Finally
Abhishekam of all the Temple-Murtis was done with the respective Kalashas,
installed for each Deity. Abhishekam for Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi was
performed with the holy waters from all the 1000 Kalashas.
Then
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi was decorated and the Darshan of the grandeur of
Devi after Alankar (decoration of the Divinity with beautiful clothes,
shining ornaments, etc.) left everyone speechless and hands folded
automatically in prayer and gratitude. The Devi then was offered delicious
Prasad which was distributed to everyone after Arati.
In the night a
special Navaavarana Puja was performed by our Chief Priest Suresh Panditji
for the Meru-Yantra in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, which generated
a beautiful, calm and mystically charged atmosphere.
As conclusion
of this highly elaborate beautiful Puja a Suvasini (a married lady, whose
husband is alive) was worshipped and presented gifts.
|
