|
A
beautiful Purnahuti by Swami Vishveshwarananda
along with the Chief Priest Suresh. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
|