Navaratri Celebrations at Penusila Kshetram
Sep 23, 2006
During the morning abhishekam, milk is offered to Sri Saraswati Devi -
"We expect the peace and happiness of everyone in the world; by offering milk
we give peace to Mother Earth and all the living beings" ~ Amma
The three main forms of Divine Mother have been installed at Amma's Trisakti Pitham: Sri Maha Lakshmi, Sri Lalita Parameswari, and Sri Maha Saraswati - these are special vigrahas for worship ceremonies, the main deities are carved from black granite
"This Trisakti Pitham is the main seat of energy for Sri Lalita Parameswari;
all the pujas done here are for world peace and universal welfare" ~ Amma
While the priests chant Sri Lalita Sahasranama, flowers are offered to
Divine Mother's lotus feet - when we offer flowers to Mother, She makes
all the divine qualities bloom in our hearts
At the conclusion of the puja, harati is performed - Sri Devi is so kind that She immediately removes our darkness and gives us radiant energy when we offer a harati flame to Her
Amma distributes some prasadam, a mixture of butter and sugar, to her children -
"The significance of offering butter to Mother is that our hearts must become very soft and melt like butter on hearing others' troubles; a good heart is a boon from Mother" ~ Amma
Our beloved Mother Sri Saraswati Devi, one of whose names is "Sudha Murti"; She is the very form of divinely radiant nectar - when we worship Her, She showers us with Her own nectarean energy
Our beloved Mother Sri Lakshmi Devi, one of whose names is "Loka Mata";
She is the most loving Mother for all the beings in all realms - when we worship Her, She gives us a loving, tender heart and harmonious relationships with others
Our beloved Amma, praying for universal peace
after harati in the Trisakti Pitham
At the start of Navaratri, Amma ties a blessed piece of turmeric root on everyone's right wrist - the purpose of this "kankana" is to bestow strength, purity, and the ability to focus only on sadhana during the sacred time of Navaratri
Before the homas begin, Swamiji performs sankalpa on behalf of all sponsors
around the world - the sankalpa is a ritual in which the homa sponsors are energetically connected to the homa fire so that they receive its purifying blessings
Traditional temple musicians herald Amma's arrival at the homa -
the beautiful Garudachala Hills can be seen in the distance
For the Sri Lalita Sahasranama Homa, one thousand pink lotuses will be offered -
each lotus is decorated with kumkum and encircled by four auspicious green bangles
The purnahuti, the final offering, has been prepared with many auspicious offerings, including fruits, kumkum, turmeric, sandalwood powder, sindhur, coconuts,
honey, nuts, and special herbs
During the Sri Anjaneya Homa, hundreds of bananas are offered into the fire - "Anjaneya always gave his love and selfless service to Sri Rama, no matter what obstacles or difficulties he had to face; even though he did so much seva, he was so pure that he never expected anything in return from anyone" ~ Amma
~~~
During the auspicious Navaratri festival,
may the whole world be drenched in the nectarean love of
our beloved Mother Sri Lalitambika Devi
~~~
Om shantih shantih shantihi
May all be happy
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
May all be happy
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 