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Navaratri Celebrations in Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas,
27th March to 4th April 2009
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A beautifully decorated Altar during Navaratri |
Navaratri is considered a very
special time, especially dedicated to Goddess Durga, who
bestows health, wealth and prosperity. This great
Goddess also shields and protects the human beings from
all sorts of demons or negative forces.
Navaratri is celebrated twice
in a year with great zeal and devotion in Omkarananda
Ashram. During Navaratri the Murti of
Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga is taken out and placed into a
Pandal, at the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
Mandir. The Pandal in which the Murti was kept, was
decorated gorgeously. During Navaratri, every day, from
early morning till noon, special Durga Pujas and Prayers
were conducted and in the evening additional Hawanas,
Aratis, Bhajans, Kirtans etc. were performed by the
Chief Priest Suresh Shastriji and his team.
This year Vasant Navaratri
started from 27th March.
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| Powerful Yajnas during
Navaratri time |
On 2nd April 2009, after the
special Hawana and Arati for Devi were completed, there
was a special devotional Dance performance by Kumari
Somashekhari and her students for the Divine Mother in
the Temple, in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.
During this event a great number of devotees had joined
in the Temple.
On Vijayadashami, on 4th April
2009, a grand Hawana was conducted with final Purnahuti.
After this the Navaratri celebrations came to conclusion
with Arati and Prasad distribution, followed by worship
of 9 small girls or Kanyas, 1 small boy, representative
of Lord Shiva and one married lady, a Suvasini. They all
were given beautiful gifts and Prasadam.
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| Powerful Yajnas during
Navaratri time |
Kumari Somashekhari and
two of her students |
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| After Yajna Purnahuti
was offered |
Kumari Soma Shekhari is
performing Arati |
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| The children are
rewarded by visitors |
Devotees During Arati
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Somashekhari is glorifying the Divine Mother
through dance
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Special Dance-performance in which
Devi is worshipped
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