Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Navaratri 2018 Celebrations



Just like in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the same desire to conduct a Maha Chandi Homam every day of the nine days of Navaratri came back in the mind now in 2018. The article in 2015 along with the miracle, the one in 2016 and the one in 2017 can be found elsewhere in this blog under Recent Writings. Being a year older now, there was increased worry in the mind about stamina. And as before, hoped for the help of the Divinities.  
Srimathy, Ajay and Sapna were responsible for the set up of the massive Golu arrangement in the basement – eleven steps six feet tall, 18 feet wide and front to back was 10 feet. This is the picture on top of this post with Srimathy, Ajay and Sapna (along with Adiyen) beside the golu. The new additions this year included Panchamukhi Anjaneya towards right on the 4th step from bottom and a wooden Pasupatheeswarar Temple from Nepal right next to Him on the left and a large Ganesha towards the right on the 3rd step from the bottom.

Just like in 2015, 2016 and 2017, twelve boxes of wood were cut and ready, four forty pound bags of coconut were purchased – pre-cut in halves and put into smaller bags, plenty of bottles of ghee were purchased; plenty of  betel leaves, mango leaves and fruits were in stock. Srimathy made fresh food for the Divinities every day after shower and in a state of “Madi” ( which means absolute cleanliness in Tamil ). The Neivedyam were in the following order: 1st Day - Yoghurt Rice; 2nd Day - Rava Kesari; 3rd Day - Loki Halwa; 4th Day - Asoka Halwa; 5th Day - Yogurt Rice; 6th Day - Beetroot Halwa; 7th Day - Sweet Potato Halwa; 8th Day - Kalkandu Rice; 9th Day - Carrot Halwa; 10th Day - Semiya Yogurt Mix.

This time too, workplace allowed me to come AFTER the Homam every day around 2:30 pm and do whatever had to be done. As before, health co-operated – no cold, flu or cough or digestion problems. As in previous years, weather was a concern – hurricanes had affected Florida already; luckily, none of it affected us in any serious manner.

The event went beautifully – everyday the Homam comprised of Pavamaana Suktham, Ganapathi Homam followed by Shaapoddhaara Mantram, Utkeelana Mantram, Kavacham, Argala Stotram, Keelakam, Sidhdha Kunjika Stotram, Devi Atharva Sheersham, Vedoktam Raatri Suktam, Tantroktam Raatri Suktam, Navarna Mantra, Nyaasams,etc, then Thirteen Chapters of Durga Saptashati, 3 Rahasyams, Kshama Praarthanaa, Sri Suktham. The Navagrahas were invited, Siddha Purushaas, Maha Purushaas, Bhairavas, Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Saraswati, Kali, Mahalakshmi, Para Shakthi Devi, Kanchi Maha Periyava, Sri Dr. G. Krishna Kumar, Sivan Sar, several Maharishis, Pitrus, Gurus, Ramanuja, Manavala Maa Muni, Hayagreeva, Mitra, Varuna, Sankara Periyava, Veezhinaatha Periyava, etc, etc, etc all with an offering of Aahuti.
It took 2 ½  hours to prepare, 4 hours for the Homam and ½ hour to clean up after.  At the end it was pure bliss! James, from the workplace, attended the 3rd  day; on the 6th day, Sri Ravi Rajkumar from Farmington, CT participated from start to finish; it was a special because that day represented the 400th Homam conducted at home from the start. Guests were fed. Jeya Vijaysekar attended the 8th day.

As in previous years, short (two minutes or less) video clips were taken during the Homams by Srimathy and are presented for each of the nine days followed by clip of Shiva Sahasranama Homam performed on the tenth day. When watching these short clips, please use headphones for best effect. YouTube links are at the bottom of this post. Brief details are given in the YouTube description for each video. One may see the Divinities present, by focusing at the walls of the Homa Kundam.

 October 9, 2018 - Day 1


October 10, 2018 - Day 2

October 11, 2018 - Day 3

October 12, 2018 - Day 4


October 13, 2018 - Day 5

October 14, 2018 - Day 6

October 15, 2018 - Day 7

October 16, 2018 - Day 8

October 17, 2018 - Day 9

October 9, 2018 -  Day 10 – Shiva Sahasranama Homam

Om Sri Kalika Devi Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Mahalakshmi Devi Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Maha Saraswati Devi Namo Namah ! Om Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Krishna Kumaraaya Namo Namaha ! Om Namaschandikaayai !

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