The historic Navaratri celebrations being celebrated for the first time
in Hyderabad Ashrama commenced at 9 AM by Sri Swamiji arriving for the
Kumari Puja in front of the Datta Temple. Telengala region devotees
had been waiting for a long time to have Sri Swamiji perform the Navaratri
Devi Pujas. Finally the moment had come. Today the presiding deities
were both Gauri and Rajarajeshwari since Padya and Bidige (lunar days)
occurred on the same day.
The
regular Navaratri programs commenced soon after. Sri Swamiji proceeded
to the stage. Sri Chakra Puja, preparation of nine turmeric Avarana
Sri Chakras were made. The elaborate placement of idols and decorating
them and finally the Avarana Puja commenced. Generally, Sri Swamiji
went around the Mantapa nine times for one Avarana. A day consisted
of nine such Avaranas. It meant going around the Mantapa 81 times a
day. But like last year, Sri Swamiji followed the Viloma (decreasing)
tradition. It means, for the first Avarana, Sri Swamiji went around
9 times, For the second, 8 times, for the third, 7 times and so on.
So, for the last Avarana, Sri Swamiji went around only once. Hence the
nine Avarana Puja was over by noon.
Annarchana
was performed with sweet pongal and khara pongal – two types of
rice preparation.
In
the afternoon, Sri Swamiji performed various Abhishekams to the deities
and decorated them in a sophisticated manner. After the final Maha Mangalarati.
Sri Swamiji, continued to sit on the Puja Peetha for the Avadhana program
(the long chanting from various Vedas, Scriptures and astronomical chants).
When Sangeetha Seva Avadhana portion came, Sri Swamiji sang the new
Devi Bhajan “O Janani” in Shadvidhamargini Raga. It was
moving to see Sri Swamiji sing Devi Bhajan ecstatically from Puja platform.
The audience was stunned to see this change in the pattern but it was
a great sight to see Sri Swamiji sing Bhajan looking at the Devi.
The
day concluded with Dolotsava and Sri Swamiji giving away Prasadam to
those who participated in the various Sevas.
Jaya
Guru Datta
Kumari Puja in front of Datta Temple
The huge stage in the Hyderabad Ashrama prayer hall looked wonderful
with a huge banner as the backdrop
Sri Swamiji preparing the Turmeric Sumeru during Sri Chakra Puja
Sri Swamiji performing Arati during Navavarana Puja
Music seva was Carnatic Vocal concert by Smt. Neeta Chandrashekar. She
sang many of Sri Swamiji's compositions to the delight of the thousands
of devotees
Annarchana
Arati during Annarchana
Purnahuti
Ksheera (milk) Abhishekam
Sri Swamiji singing the new Bhajan "O Janani" from the Puja
Altar
The mammoth gathering
Maha Mangalarati
Dolotsava
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