Sharadiya-Navaratri Celebrations,
in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
from 26th September 2022 to 5th October 2022

From 26th September 2022 till 5th October 2022, the Priests of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas specially worshipped Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi every morning at the beautifully decorated Altar with Her Utsava Murti, in the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Mandir. In spite of a very busy schedule, Mahant Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, regularly took part in this holy worship. The Special Prayers and Pujas in the morning concluded with Arati and Pushpanjali. Here one can see Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda offering the Arati to Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi with deep devotion.

During the Navaratri Festival, daily Hawanas were performed by the Omkarananda Ashram Priests in the evening, additionally to the early morning Yajnas, which are conducted every day - year in and year out, without fail - in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas. H. H. Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati took part in these wonderful special Navaratri Hawanas almost daily. From left to right: Shri Mukesh Panditji, Shri Suresh Panditji (Chief Priest), Shri Sanjay Panditji, along with Swamiji. Since Omkarananda Ashram is a Shri Vidya Ashram, where the benevolent, peaceful and most beautiful Form of the Divine Mother, Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, who is the same as Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga, is worshipped, Ahutis during the special Navaratri Yajna were offered during the skillful recitation of "Trishati" (the 300 holy names of Tripurasundari Devi) and the 108 holy names of Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati ("Shri Sadguru Omkarananda-Ashtottara-Shata-Namavalih"), along with the appropriate Bija Mantras.

Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda gets ready to offer the Purnahuti.

Immediately after the Purnahuti was offered, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji and Chief-Priest Suresh Joshiji poured pure cow's ghee into the Hawana Kunda. All of a sudden the whole Yajnashala was enveloped in a reddish golden hue and the already very strong, heavenly and divine vibration of this place was still more transformed into an otherworldly, mystical area, with the bright, golden glow of Agni Devata and the invisible, but actual Presence of Divinities. Surely all of Them, including the Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari and Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, Who are omnipresent, omnipotent and all-knowing, immensely enjoyed this extraordinary and divine moment. Those, who could be present during this event, were indeed lucky.

On the next morning, the second day of Navaratri, again Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji took part in the morning Prayers for Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Maa and concluded this worship with Arati for Her.

Here one can see Swami Vishveshwarananda offering flowers to Sadgurudev Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati. On this photo is visible, that the green, soft grass from Jau seeds (barley seeds), placed at the feet of the Utsava Murti of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga, has slowly started growing.

Towards the middle and end of the Sharadiya Navaratri Celebrations, Kumari Somashekhari, General Secretary, Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas and Indian Classical Dancer and Musician, also joined the morning Pujas and Prayers. Here one can see her offering Arati to the Main Murti of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi.

Pushpanjali by Kumari Somashekhari.

Also the extremely busy Treasurer of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, Shri Swami Satchidananda Saraswati, offered his worship to Divine Mother Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi, with Prayers and Arati.

Shri Swami Satchidananda showers flowers on the lovely Utsava Murti of Omkarananda-Shanta-Durga Devi.

Vijaya Dashami is the Main Day of Celebration at the conclusion of Navaratri for Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, because it is a Shri Vidya Ashram, where the Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari is worshipped. Vijaya Dashami occurred on the 5th October 2022. An extremely powerful Yajna was conducted in the morning and very special, fragrant and divine herbs, fruits, dry fruits, sugarcane, honey and many other wonderful, pure and sattvic ingredients were offered to the Divine Mother, through the Medium of Agni Devata, by Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda, Shri Suresh Panditji and Shri Sanjay Panditji.

Following the typical South Indian way of Divine Worship, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, while concentrating strongly on the Presence of the Supreme Divine Mother Shri Lalita Maha-Tripurasundari, is going to offer Her a very beautiful, fresh rose-flower Mala. Tripurasundari Devi's favourite flower is the lovely, fragrant rose.

Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari got the honour to offer Purnahuti on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami.

Assisted by Shri Sanjay Panditji, Kumari Somashekhari performs Puja with the auspicious Hariyali, which had nicely grown during the Navaratri Festival Days. Afterwards the Hariyali, the holy, soft, green grass, will be cut and distributed as Prasadam.

Finally, Kumari Somashekhari and others complete the Sharadiya Navaratri Celebrations 2022, in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, with a Devi Arati.