'Navaratri' is the festival of worship
of Goddess Shakti (feminine manifestation of the cosmic
energy). The Goddess fought evil Demons over nine days
and nights and destroyed them on the tenth day.
Navaratri means "nine nights". What does the
nine signify? There are nine planets (grahas), according
to astrology. The human body has nine openings. If a
deep inquiry is made, it will be found that mankind is
dependent on the planets. Although astrologers speak
about nine planets, in reality, only two "planets"
matter: attachment (raaga) and hatred (dwesha).
In the worship of the deities during Navaratri,
one of them is worshipped each day, not externally but
with one's heart and soul. Bodily actions are ephemeral.
The body derives its value from the spirit within. Hence
it should be regarded as a sacred temple. During the
Navaratri festival, for the purpose of eradicating one's
own demonic and evil tendencies, the deities are
worshipped with sacred powder (kumkum).
Therefore, the Navaratri festival is observed by
contemplating on God for ten days, cleansing one's self
of all impurities, in order to experience the divinity
within. The last but one day of the festival is
dedicated to what is termed "worship of weapons” (ayudha
puja). The weapons to be worshipped are the divine
powers in man. When the divine is worshipped in this
way, one is bound to progress spiritually.
During Navaratri, the energy of Sree Durgadevi
is intensely active in the atmosphere.
Sponsor for this festival where we offer our love to
the Divine Mother
You may offer your love to the Divine
Mother in various ways.
Navratri is divided into sets of three
days to adore three different aspects of the supreme
goddess or goddesses – Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.
Their esoteric significance is represented by three
potencies (shakthis): will power (ichchaa shakthi), the
power of purposeful action (kriya shakthi), and the
power of knowledge (jnaana shakthi).
First three days
The goddess is invoked as a spiritual
force called Durga also known as kali in order to
destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. When
the divine Goddess is in dreadful rage to destroy the
wicked elements, she assumes a fearful form. To pacify
the dreaded Goddess, we her children offer worship to
Her with sacred red powder (kumkum). Seeing the
blood-red kumkum at her feet, the Goddess feels
assured that the wicked have been vanquished and assumes
her benign form. The inner meaning of the worship of
Devi with red kumkum is that thereby the Goddess is
appeased.
Second three days
The Mother is adored as a giver of
spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the
power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth
- not just money but intellectual wealth, the wealth of
character, health and others. She is the Goddess of
wealth!
Final three days
Ashtami is the day devi is enlighetened, she kills the
asura who is the embodiment of samskaras, he assumes diffrent
forms as one samskara when suppressed becomes another. On namavi
day siva comes to serve her. On dasami her enlightenment is
celebrated. Enlightenmnet is the point of transtion between beast
and man - between instinct and intellect - that is the birth of
intuition.
The final set of three days is spent
in worshipping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswathi. She
bestows intelligence, the capacity for intellectual
inquiry, and the power of discrimination on
us.
The Schedule
Following is the program for Shaktim 2008 – Sep 30 to 8 Oct. Vijayadasami on 9th Oct. It has beenblessedby Swamiji.
Akshara laksham – chanting of Guru Mantra: "Om Hreem Nithyanandaya Namaha", 9 lakh times before end of Navaratri.
Navaratri Golu
During the Golu small dolls representing human, animal and daily use articles are arranged on a small flight of stairs made specifically for this in homes. This Navarathri, 'Golu' will be celebrated in the Ashram.
6 to 6:45pm – Maha arati on all days Kattumoorti alankar of 9 manifestations of Devi
Here is a golden opportunity to enjoy the glory of
Devi on the auspicious occasion of Navaratri!
At the Sri Anandeshwar Temple of
Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, on each of the nine days of Navaratri, there will be a
grand celebration of Devi. She will
appear bedecked and in full form in different alankarams!
Sep 30 to Oct 5
5 to 6 pm – Special Navaratri Homa to the Kattumoorti deity of the day
6:00 to 6:45pm - Maha arati
7 to 8pm - Indian Classical Dance by renowned artists at Ananda Sabha. Prasad distribution at Temple
Oct 6 to 8
5 to 6pm – Special Navaratri Homa to the deity of the day
6:00 to 6:45pm - Maha arati
6:45 to 8pm - SWAMIJI’s darshan at Ananda Sabha. At the same time, Indian Classical Music performance in Ananda Sabha. Prasad distribution at Temple
There will be a Grand Chandi Homa on 7th night starting at 10pm.
On each of the nine auspicious days,
the entire Chandi Samhita or Saptashati - chants on Devi’s
Divine manifestations deeds of valor, will be chanted in
the beautiful poetic form between 5pm and 7pm. During
this time, a special homa (fire ritual)
for your well being will also be conducted, in
which you may participate. This will be followed by Nithya Maha Arati between 6pm
and 6:45pm, following which prasad will be distributed at
7:30 pm. Free Nithya Spiritual Healing
service will be offered between 7:30pm and
8:30pm.
Come and enjoy the glory of Devi and
receive Her blessings in the divine space of Sri
Anandeshwara temple. This is a vibrant energy field
consecrated by Paramahamsa Nithyananda
a living enlightened Master of our times.
Sponsor a day’s program
You are welcome to sponsor a day’s
program of the Navaratri Mahotsav and
be blessed by Sri Anandeshwara-Anandeshwari.
