Contents:
 Vasant-Navaratri
Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas from 19th to 28th March 2007
Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas celebrated
Vasant-Navaratri from 19th to 28th March 2007 with full fervour. The Pandits of
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir conducted this festivity in the Yajnashala of
the sacred Temple.
The Priests performing Puja
The most auspicious rituals commenced in the
morning of 19th March with Yantra Sthapana, Bhadra Sthapana and Kalasha
Sthapana, in which the holy Kalashas were installed along with chanting of
hymns. This grand event was followed by Shodashopachara and Gurudev Pooja. The
last morning ritual was Chandi Parayana that concluded with Arati, Bhog and
distribution of Prasadam for the devotees and invitees.
From 20th to 27th March 2007, daily in
the morning at 8 a.m., Devi Pooja, Navaavarana Puja, Durga Saptashati Parayana
and Gurudev Pooja were devoutly performed, followed by Arati, Bhog and
distribution of Prasadam.
Swami Vishveshwarananda, Kumari Somashekhari and
Swami Satchidananda during Hawana |
Shri N.N. Tayal and his wife being received
|
In the evenings, after the Poojas for
all the Deities, a special Hawan was performed every day for all Deities, namely
Ganapati, Mahalakshmi, Rudra, Chandi, Durga, Guru and Tripurasundari.
On 28th March morning, Vijaya Dashami,
the Navaratri Celebrations were concluded with Sarva-Devata Pooja, Devi Pooja,
Sarva-Devata Hawana, Navaavarana Hawana, Durga Saptashati Homa, Maha Purnahuti,
Kanya Pooja, Suvasini Puja and Devata Visarjana. Swami Vishveshwarananda, Swami
Satchidananda, Swamini Vidyaprakashananda, Swamini Vedamatananda, Swami
Narasimhulu and Kumari Somashekhari took part in it, and many guests watched the
Hawan with enthusiasm. Swami Vishveshwarananda, President of Swami Omkarananda
Ashram, performed the auspicious Purnahuti with great devotion.
Gifts for the Kanyas |
Bhandara for the Kanyas |
After completion of the Purnahuti, nine small
girls (Kanyas), were worshipped as Goddesses with Puja, Arati, Prasadam etc.
Beautiful gifts of various items were presented by Kumari Somashekhari to those
children.
Swamini Vidyaprakashananda honoured a
young married Lady, whose husband is alive, a “Suvasini”, with Puja and gifts.
In the end all received the Prasadam in
the form of Bhandara and thus the Vasant Navaratri concluded. Everybody taking
part in it, deeply felt the unforgettable powerful spiritual vibrations of this
beautiful event in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.
Brahma-Mahotsava
of Shri Omkarananda Kamakshi-Devi Mandir on 31st March and 1st April 2007
 The exquisite
Shri-Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas,
Muni-ki-reti, celebrated its third anniversary “Brahma-Mahotsava” on 31st March
and 1st April 2007, elaborately with full dignity and colour.
Our Chief Priest, Pt. Suresh Shastriji, Pt. Sanjay Shastriji and other priests
of our Temple conducted this holy ceremony meticulously. Many devotees and
invitees were present on both the days to witness this religious function at the
Temple premises.
31st March 2007:
The auspicious rituals began in the morning of 31st March 2007 at 7 a.m. with
‘Ganapati Kalasha Sthapana’ in which the holy Kalasha was installed with
chanting of hymns. It was followed by ‘Ganapati Avahana Puja’ where the Deity
was invoked to bless the ceremony, followed by Ganapati Homa.
“Sahasra-Kalasha-Sthapanam”
In the evening, the ceremony started at 7.30 p.m. with Ganapati Puja and
Sankalpa. 1000 holy Kalashas, which had been arranged during the day, were now
dedicated to Shri-Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi with ‘Sahasra-Kalasha-Sthapana’ and
special Kalashas were installed for all the Deities, Shri-Meenakshi,
Shri-Chamundi, etc. of the temple. Navaavarana Archana was conducted by the
priests followed by Arati.
1st April 2007:
The second day’s ceremonies began at 7.00 a.m. with Swami Vishveshwaranandaji
and others performing ‘Yajnas’ dedicated to all the Deities of the Temple. A
special ‘Lalita-Sahasra-Namavali-Yajna’ was also conducted on this occasion. The
Yajnas continued up to 10 a.m. in the morning.
Swami Vishveshwarananda performing Arati
Then the Kalashas of all Deities were carried around the entire temple amidst
chanting of holy Mantras. ‘All-Deities – Abhishekam’ was conducted by the
priests and was followed with ‘Sahasra-Kalasha-Mahaabhishekam’ of
Shri-Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi. At the end, the temple priests – Pt. Suresh
Joshi, Pt. Sanjay Shastri and other temple priests – performed Arati and Bhog
ceremony which ended at 1.30 p.m. Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees
present.
“Lalita-Sahasra-Namavali-Yajna”
The concluding ceremony of this holy Mahotsava commenced at 8.00 p.m. in the
evening with Shri Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Navaavarana Puja and Arati by the priests
which continued till 10.00 p.m. in the night.
|
