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Yajna performed by the Priests of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. |
In Omkarananda Ashram the Divine Mother Worship is given special
importance. Besides the daily worship round the year in the
beautiful Omkarananda-Kamakshi Mandir, Omkarananda Shanta-Durga
Mandir and other Temples of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, the
Navaratri-Celebrations in honour of Divine Mother Durga are
always conducted with great care and devotion twice in a year,
in spring and in autumn.
The nine days, respectively nights, which are specially
dedicated to Divine Mother Durga, symbolize the Victory of the
Good and the Divine over the evil forces. The evil forces are
nothing else than the low and evil characteristics in human
beings, like greed, hatred, lust, violence, etc.
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Devi-Dance by Kumari Somashekhari and students during
Navaratri. |
In Omkarananda Ashram the Divine Mother is worshipped in form of
Tripurasundari, therefore, instead of nine days, or nine nights,
ten days are dedicated to the special Durga-Devi- Festival. The
tenth day, called “Vijayadashami”, is dedicated to
Vijayalakshmi, who is the same as Shanta-Durga or
Tripurasundari. It is the Devi, who is always peaceful and
victorious. She is the Divine Mother full of infinite Love,
Purity, Beauty, Wisdom, Power, Tenderness and Compassion.
During Sharadiya Navaratri 2011 (the Navaratri celebrated in
autumn) a beautiful Pandal with the Murti of
Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi, a photo of Gurudev Paramahamsa
Omkarananda Saraswati and other Deities, adorned the Yajnashala
of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. Special Devi-Pujas and
powerful Hawanas were conducted there daily by the Priests of
Omkarananda Ashram from 28th September 2011 onwards till 6th
October 2011.
On Durga-Ashtami, which took place on 4th October, after a
wonderful Hawana and Arati, devotional dances in worship of the
Divine Mother were performed by Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari
Somashekhari and her students, at the Yajnashala of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. A lot of devotees and guests
had assembled to witness this event. As soon as the dances for
the Divine Mother began, it suddenly and unexpectedly started
raining heavily. In spite of that, the devotional dances
continued uninterruptedly. The special dance-performance for
Devi was completed with a Devi-Arati Dance, having
heart-touching sweet tunes. The audience responded with great
applause.

After that, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President
Omkarananda Ashram, inspired all devotees and guests with a
beautiful speech on the meaning and importance of the
Navaratri-Celebrations. Everybody very much appreciated
Swamiji’s speech and a devotee even spontaneously got up, took
the mike, and powerfully expressed his deep admiration for Swami
Vishveshwaranandaji and Omkarananda Ashram. One could feel, that
the feelings of love and adorations, expressed by this devotee
spontaneously, were really genuine and coming deep from his
heart.
Then everybody was served nice Prasadam by the Omkarananda
Ashram Priests. All devotees and guests left in a happy and
spiritually elevated and inspired mood.
Another highlight of the Navaratri-Celebrations was the
concluding day, Vijayadashami, which fell on the 6th October
2011. After a grand Hawana and Purnahuti, in which Swami
Vishveshwarananda, Swami Satchidananda and Kumari Somashekhari
took part, along with the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram, nine
small, cute girls were worshipped as manifestations of the
Divine Mother and given beautiful gifts.
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Gifts made ready for the nine Kanyas. |
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Somashekhari is presenting the gifts to the Kanyas. |
Somashekhari is blessing the Kanyas with Arati. |
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