Navaratri Celebrations in Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas from 16th October to 24th October 2012
On 16th October 2012 the Autumn Celebrations
of Navaratri, the "Sharadiya Navaratri", started as per
the Indian Calendar.
A beautiful big Altar of Durga Devi, with nice
colourful clothes, Malas and shining lights, had been established
in the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir and the
Priests of OmkarĀananda Ashram Himalayas were conducting Pujas and
Prayers from morning and continued in the afternoon, along with
powerful Hawanas, Aratis and Prasad-Distribution.
Many Devotees came to join these joyous and
auspicious Celebrations.
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The beautifully decorated Altar during
Navaratri-Celebrations. |
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Kumari Somashekhari offers Arati to the Divinities. |
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Swami
Vishveshwarananda and the Priests perform Yajna at the
beginning of Navaratri. |
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Purnahuti by Swami Vishveshwarananda. |
Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi grants Her Blessings to
everybody. |
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Devi-Arati by Kumari Somashekhari. |
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On 21st October 2012 Kumari Somashekhari and
her student Neha were worshipping the Divine Mother with
devotional dances in the Temple Mandap of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, in the presence of Devotees from
different parts of India.
The Temple-Dance-performances were concluded
with an inspiring speech by the President of Omkarananda Ashram,
Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, and Prasad-Distribution to
all Devotees.
On 24th October 2012 this year's Navaratri
Celebrations in Autumn were concluded with final Pujas, Hawana,
Purnahuti and the cutting and distributing of the auspicious green
wheat- grass "Hariyali", which had nicely grown during
the holy Durga Festival Days, at the Altar of
Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga, the peaceful and loving Form of Durga
Devi.
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Kumari Somashekhari in a Temple-Dance, describing the
Beauty and Power of the Divine Mother. |
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Kumari Somashekhari and her student Neha are dancing to
glorify the Divine Mother. |
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Shri
Sukumarji thanks Swami Vishveshwarananda for his kind
words on the occasion of Navaratri. |
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Purnahuti by Kumari Somashekhari. |
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Yajna on Vijaya Dashami. |
The much awaited Kanya-Puja brought the
Navaratri-Celebration to a wonderful conclusion.
9 Kanyas, small local girls, below the age of
nine, were seated in the Mandap of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi
Mandir and worshipped as Goddesses by Kumari Somashekhari and the
Priests of Omkarananda Ashram.
It was a great joy for all present to see the
small Kanyas being extremely happy, when they were worshipped and
given many beautiful gifts.
After this heart-touching ceremony all enjoyed
a nice Prasadam.
Everybody felt grateful for receiving the
Divine Blessings of Durga Maa.
OM Shri Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Ki Jay ! OM
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Kumari
Somashekhari presents gifts and garlands to the nine
Kanyas. |
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A Suvasini
receives gifts from Kumari Somashekhari. |
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Arati by Swami
Vishveshwarananda for the nine Kanyas. |
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Bhandara after the Kanya-Puja. |
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