|
Sharadiya Navaratri Celebrations in
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas
from 5th October to 13th October 2013
The holy days of Navaratri,
dedicated to the Divine Mother, are appearing two times
a year according to the Indian Calendar, once in the
spring season and once in autumn.
According to that, the
Navaratri-Festival is celebrated twice in a year in
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
The Sharadiya Navaratri, or
the Navaratri, which falls in the autumn season, started
on 5th October 2013 with extensive Pujas and Arati in
the morning and a grand extra Hawana and Arati in the
evening time, in the Yajnashala of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, at a beautiful Altar
of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga, and continued daily, till
Vijaya Dashami, on 13th October 2013.
A beautiful Purnahuti by Swami Vishveshwarananda
along with the Chief Priest Suresh.
All direct Sannyasi disciples
of Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, namely Swami
Vishveswarananda, Swami Satchidananda and Kumari
Somashekhari, took actively part in this daily special
Navaratri worship along with the Omkarananda Ashram
Priests and other Ashram Members.
Every day devotees from
different parts of India and also abroad assembled to
watch these wonderful Celebrations for Divine Mother
Durga.
In the night of the 12th
October 2013, on Ashtami, a devotional Dance-performance
took place in the Temple Hall of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.
Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari
Somashekhari danced 4 different Bharatanatyam
Temple-Dance items in front of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.
The essence of these dances
was explained to the audience in English by
Somashekhari's student Neha, who was the Master of
Ceremony on this occasion.
Kumari Neha is guiding the audience through the whole
function.
An excited Somashekhari gives a highly spiritual touch
through her graceful performance.
The spiritual dances,
performed by Kumari Somashekhari with her divine
expression on her face, were a great inspiration for the
audience. Some devotees later on remarked that they felt
a great purity in the way, Somashekhari presented her
dances.
Shri G. Sukumar, Trustee
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, read out a speech on the
meaning of Navaratri.
As conclusion of this special,
divine event, the President of Omkarananda Ashram
Himalayas, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati,
praised, thanked and honoured the Priests of Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas, who put in a lot of extra hard work
for the Navaratri Celebrations. Swamiji also thanked
Kumari Somashekhari for her dance-performances and he
mentioned that Temple-Dance, performed with deep
devotion and highest purity, is a very important part of
worship in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, and a source of
great Delight for all Divinities.
Swami Vishveshwarananda highlights the importance of
Navaratri.
Swami Vishveshwarananda also
threw light on the importance of Navaratri and
Devi-Worship as a means for purifying one's life for a
fast spiritual progress and lasting happiness.
Swamiji did not forget to
mention special thanks for Shri Sukumarji, Kumari Neha
and others for their contribution to a beautiful
Navaratri Celebration in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
Shri Sukumar, Trustee, in a happy mood, after he had
been honoured by Swami Vishveshwarananda.
Yajna in the night of Ashtami by Swami Satchidananda,
Shri Sukumar and the Priests of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.
Shri Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji's inspiring spiritual encouragement
and very kind and warm Vote of Thanks were appreciated
by one and all.
On behalf of everybody
present, Shri Sukumarji offered a beautiful flower
garland to Swamiji, as a sign of their adorations and
thanks to Swamiji.
Several devotees from
different countries went to Swami Vishveshwaranandaji to
express their deepest gratitude.
After having a special
Devi-Prasadam, all devotees and guests left to their
respective places, carrying divine inspiration and joy
in their hearts.
On the following day, on 13th
October 2013, Navami and Vijaya Dashami were falling
together. On this special day the Sharadiya Navaratri in
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas was concluded with very
extensive Pujas and a grand and powerful Hawana and
Purnahuti and final divine Blessings for all Ashramites
and Devotees.
Mahayajna on Vijayadashami by the Priests of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir along with Kumari
Somashekhari.
Final Purnahuti by Somashekhari and the Chief Priest
Suresh.
Swami Vishveshwarananda offering Arati to all the
Divinities.
Sanjay Panditji applies Tilak to Swami Satchidananda.
Kumari Somashekhari performed
the final Purnahuti, assisted by the Priests, and then
cut the holy wheat-grass, the "Hariyali", which had
grown at the Altar of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga during
Navaratri. The Hariyali was afterwards distributed to
all devotees.
Nine Kanyas, nine small girls
below the age of 9 years, one Suvasini and one small boy
as representative of Lord Shiva, were worshipped by
Kumari Somashekhari and the Priests in the Temple Hall
of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir and given beautiful
gifts.
Kumari Somashekhari, assisted by the Priests, is
offering nice gifts to all the nine Kanyas.
All the children were blessed through the Arati by Swami
Vishveshwarananda.
A special Bhandara was arranged for all the nine Kanyas
including a Suvasini and one boy.
After this wonderful ceremony
they were invited for a Bhandara, served by the
Omkarananda Ashram Priests.
OM
SHRI OMKARANANDA-SHANTA-DURGA KI JAY !!!
OM
|
