Sri Karunamayi 2007 India Photos
Navaratri Celebrations - Day 1
Amma prays before receiving the blessing from the harati,
the offering of the sacred flame
Auspicious turmeric, mixed with water, is offered to the three forms of Divine Mother - Sri Lalita, Sri Lakshmi, and Sri Saraswati
Pink lotuses are offered to Divine Mother; lotuses have an especially
pure and divine energy
Many auspicious offerings are arranged in front of Divine Mother; these sacred items add their own special vibrations to the pujas
Everyone chants sacred mantras during the puja; these mantras attract an abundance of cosmic energy, especially during Navaratri
The conclusion of the puja consists of harati, the offering of dozens of ghee lamps to the Divine
Before the homa begins, Swamiji performs sankalpa on behalf of
all the sponsors; this ceremony creates an energetic bond between the
homa or puja and the sponsors
Different forms of the Divine are invoked within specially prepared pots containing water and other auspicious ingredients; here, the priest energizes the pot, or kalasam, while chanting powerful mantras
Each day's set of homas begins with the Sahasra Modaka Sri Ganesha Homa; we invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings at the start of any important activity
Here, the highly trained and learned Vedic priests are being honored with
gifts; it is very important to show our respect to those who have dedicated their lives to maintaining India's priceless spiritual and cultural heritage
The Lalita Devi temple is lit up with hundreds of lights, in honor of the
most sacred and auspicious Navaratri festival
The image of Divine Mother is worshipped before being taken out in procession through the ashram; Amma herself performs the offerings
"Worship Divine Mother all these ten days with total sraddha,
with intense love and with intense interest focused on
Divine Mother." ~ Amma
During Navaratri, Mother Cow is worshipped, indicating the need to respect and give thanks to the animal world, and see Divine Mother in all creatures
It takes 20 or 30 people, working together, to carry Divine Mother
throughout the ashram; everyone takes turns so that all get the sacred opportunity to support Mother during the vahana seva
Our beloved Amma, in front of the mahasamadhi shrine of
Ammamma, Amma's sainted mother
"Bhakti is elixir. Any kind of karma load will be eradicated by the power
of true devotion, pure devotion, a hundred percent devotion. So devotion
is elixir, ambrosia; it is so special. " ~ Amma
During the evening ceremonies, Mother Lalita is placed
on a beautifully decorated swing
While everyone sings the song "Manidwipa Vasiniki", harati flames
decorated like the nine gems are offered to Devi
Swamiji offers harati to our beloved Amma at the conclusion
of the day's ceremonies
At nighttime, the ashram becomes very cool, and a nectarean energy
fills the air. Thousands of lights have been strung throughout the
ashram, transforming it into a glowing wonderland
Om Shantih Shantih Shantihi
May All Be Peaceful
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May All Be Happy
