Travelogue 10: Vijayadashami and Travel Back to the US
The next day, the 10th day, we celebrated Vijayadashami. This is the day of victory of good over evil and marks the end of the Durga Puja celebrations.
It was fun watching Shree Maa do a victory dance.
Swamiji performed visarjan (removing the Divine Energy that had been established in the pot back to the unmanifest) and the group sang, danced, and painted faces.
Someone even painted Shree Maa’s feet as the Goddess. How adorable.
Then the clay murties were brought down the stairs and placed on a truck where they were taken to the Ganges river and immersed in the water for dissolution.
The dieties are immersed in the Ganges to symbolize washing away of the devotee’s impurities.
The next day, Shree Maa traveled home to US and Swamiji continued his India yatra.
A few days after Shree Maa got home to Fairfield she performed the Lakshmi Puja which signifies the end of Navaratri and the preparation of Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
We wanted to take a moment to give a special thanks to the hospitality of the Prasad family who pulled off this major event without a glitch.
They built a rooftop temple, ordered the murtis, hosted all of the people and fed us three meals a day. They provided a special opportunity for the Devi Mandir Family to come together and celebrate the Goddess in Bengali style!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Shree Maa will be holding Diwali celebrations at the Lalita Chandika Temple. Stay tuned for specific dates and times. All are welcome to join the events.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 9: Special Events and Traditions Over Navaratri
This Navaratri we celebrated many special traditions that are unique to the Bengal region of India.
This post is an attempt to not only share these special traditions, but also to remember special friends and devotees that Shree Maa and Swamiji hadn’t seen in a long time and to share a few unique moments that made this trip memorable.
There was so much that we experienced that it is impossible to capture it all, but I’ve done my best to illustrate the highights.
I hope you enjoy.
Shree Maa’s Dance
Of course a memorable part of any gathering is Shree Maa’s dancing. Here She appears to have picked up some new moves.
Swamiji even joined in the act and it appears like he is enjoying it!
Shree Maa inspired all of us to dance. Here Vish lets it loose on the dance floor! Jai Vish!
Indian Cultural Dance
Our hosts did not let a moment go by without entertainment. We enjoyed three evenings with professional dancers who performed to various folklore and tradition. Shree Maa enjoyed all of the dancing and got out her cymbals to keep beat to the music.
The first group performed traditional Bengali Dance.
The second group performed Krishna stories.
The third group performed the Mahishasura Mardini.
Feeding of Navadurgas and Krishna
One Bengali tradition during Navaratri is the Kanya Puja. I was unaware of this tradition as I don’t recall performing it at the Devi Mandir.
In the Kanya Puja, we feed nine little girls which represent the Navadurgas. This puja reminds us that Devi’s energy is embodied in these little girls.
Here, on day nine of Navaratri, nine little devis and a little Krishna boy was fed in the temple.
Chanting Sessions with Swamiji
Every morning devotees met with Swamiji for chanting of various scriptures. Swamiji was eager to share his newest chants and was in his element as he led the recitation.
Love Between Special Friends and Family Members from East to West
It touches our heart when Swamiji is around his fellow Sadhus. Here he expresses his love for Uttam and Swami Ramkripaluji.
Shree Maa met several long-time devotees and family members.
The Adorable Kids Participated 100%
Prashant Baba teaches one year old Raghavendra how to make a homa offering:
The Kumari Puja
“To look upon God as Mother is the purest and the highest form of Sadhana,” said Sri Ramakrishna.
The Kumari Puja is a special tradition of Navaratri in Bengal. The Kumari Puja is the worship of young girls as the Divine Mother.
We were graced this year with two adorable Kumaris.
Shree Maa offers Dakshina and bows with her head at Kumari’s feet.
Ring Ceremony
Finally, what would Navaratri be like without someone tying the knot. Chandana and Kartikeya had a ring ceremony to usher in their new stage in life.
What a nine day party to celebrate the Goddess!
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 8: Our Daily Worship Routine
Navaratri has begun and for the next nine days Shree Maa, Swamiji and the devotees will be doing very intense sadhana to the best of our capacity.
All over India Navaratri is celebrated, and there are different regional traditions. Shree Maa is from Assam and so we follow the West Bengal tradition.
The Bengali traditional Navaratri altar represents Durga and her children. Durga appears stabbing Mahishaura’s torso, while riding the Lion. Saraswati and Karthika stand to her left, and to her right you will find Lakshmi and Ganesha. There could also be an image of Shiva above Durga. The whole structure or frame is called a Chala.
Our daily routine consisted of a 4:30 am arati followed by preparation for the daily pujas. Every day without fail Shree Maa came to the temple and instructed devotees on what to do and how to get the puja trays ready for the pujaris when they arrived at about 6:00. We also enjoyed changing the malas on the deities, opening the lotus buds, and filling ghee lamps.
The Samasti Upasana (Cosmic Puja) was done every day of Navaratri. Swamiji performed the first five days and established five pots, one for each deity. Srini Baba performed the final four days.
Swamiji always invited the congregation to participate.
The pujas were made beautiful with lotus flowers.
After the puja Shree Maa led the Chandi Path recitation, which sometimes was a homa performed by Swami Pranavananda.
So daily we performed both the Cosmic Puja and Chandi Path. We then would break for lunch and take a few hours rest before the evening program.
The evening programs typically consist of arati, Shree Maa’s bhajans, blessings and prasad. But every evening there was something unique, such as a ring ceremony, Bengali dancing, Kumari Puja, etc.
One tradition in Bengal is the Sandhya Arati. This is the evening arati, and each evening was a blast, because it was a party unto itself.
Sometimes Shree Maa would pull out the Rasalila dancing sticks and go to town teaching everyone how to dance with her.
Swamiji was not left out though he was tucked up onto the stage.
Enjoy the Short Video Clip
Sometimes he was pulled into dance as he was trying to exit the room. Like a real trooper, he danced with Shree Maa.
For evening arati we had two drummers, bells, dancing, and a most favored part of the program – the Dhunuchi Naach.
Dhunuchi Naach is a an earthen pot filled with burning coconut husk and camphor. Every evening Divyansh brought out two smoking pots and the dancing became intoxicating as the smoke filled the room.
Enjoy the Short Video Clip
One of our littlest drummers was compelled to take part in the action.
Young and old, whoever attended could not help but feel the joy of worshiping Mother for these nine days in traditional Bengali style. We are so fortunate to have had this devotional experience and to have learned from Shree Maa her Navaratri tradition.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 7: Honoring our Ancestors; Afternoon of Mahalaya
This post is the second half of the Mahalaya day.
After Swamiji was finished with that amazing Samasti Upasana Puja to invoke the deities, he performed arati with a commanding presence.
Swamiji gave 100% focus and attention as he does with everything, so there can be no doubt of his intent.
Enjoy Short Video Clip (click on picture)
Mahalaya, the Great Dissolution, is a time when we dissolve all our attachments to the creation, and in this way dissolve creation itself.
Our last act in the old creation is to express our appreciation to our ancestors for preparing such a wonderful path for us. Now we can worship without obstruction for the Festival of Nine Nights.
In the afternoon Swamiji performed the Mahalaya Shraddha Puja. This puja remembers, gives honor to, and expresses gratitude, to our ancestors.
In the Puja Swamiji named each of our ancestors and then made offerings to them on behalf of all the families represented.
While Swamiji performed the puja, the rest of the congregation did a Chandi Homa with Shree Maa.
Here is a beautiful picture of Shree Maa chanting the Chandi Path, while in the background Swamiji performs Puja.
At the conclusion of Shree Maa’s Chandi Path, Swamiji also completed the Shraddha worship, and then joined us at the fire. He offered the pindas (funeral cakes) into the fire, while reciting all of the ancestors names, and the rest was offered to the Ganges.
Enjoy Short Video Clip (click on picture)
After the worship was finished we celebrated with arati and blessings.
Swamiji, too, received special blessings from Shree Maa. He was a fantastic example of performing worship the right way – with love and sincerity and complete focus. Including all of us, he drew the devotees into the worship.
This day sets the stage for Navaratri. We have dissolved our universe and can now create new beginnings.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 6: Significance of Mahalaya
Today is the big day – Mahalaya, which marks the descendence of the Goddess to Earth for the celebration of Navaratri!
Shree Maa woke up before dawn, showered, and prepared to go to the temple for morning arati. On the way up the two flights of stairs, she explained the significance of Mahalaya.
Mahalaya is an auspicious day for Bengalis. It happens the day before Navaratri and is considered an invitation to the Goddess to enter our homes, temples, and hearts. It is the day right before Navaratri in which the Goddess descends to earth.
On the Hindu calendar, this event marks the beginning of Devi-Paksha and the end of the Pitri-Paksha.
Devotees all over Bengal awake at 4:00 in the early morning and sing the Mahalaya Program to the Goddess, consisting of a two chanting program interspersed with songs and narrative. Most of the chants are from the Chandi Path, but there are many other beautiful songs, some of which Shree Maa has taught us, such as Jago Tumi Jago.
I did a little research on the Mahalaya music and chanting. This famous collection of songs and chants was first broadcast over the radio in the 1930s. It was composed by four radio artists, but mostly it was the voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra that got associated with the legendary Mahalaya.
Click here to listen to the Mahalaya.
Today the Mahalaya serves to unite all Bengalis. It is still broadcast at 4:00 am this one day a year, and millions of people in Bengal wake up to listen to it. Tradition has it that later in the day, Bengalis also remember, pray and make offerings to their departed ancestors.
When we reached the temple, it was dark but for the backdrop of the lit-up deities. There was such a sense of peace and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation for the new beginnings that were about to take place.
Shree Maa welcomed the Goddess by performing a very loving arati. She began first with incense, then lights, and then the fan, whisk, cloth, and flowers, she made the arati with unequivocal devotion.
With her sincere focus and graceful touch, looking the Goddess directly in the eye, Shree Maa invited the Goddess. With each arati item Shree Maa turned in a circle and acknowledged the universality of the Goddess and sanctity of the space.
After arati, She sat down in the front of the altar and prayed to the Goddess.
Quiet and peaceful, it was Shree Maa and the Goddess, for at this precious moment devotees had not yet entered the temple.
She performed Japa with one pointed attention. I prayed my few pictures would not disturb her.
Devotees slowly started arriving, and when Divyansh entered, she said, “Play it,” and suddenly the melodies of the Mahalaya Program were being played through the sound system.
(even I knew a few of the songs).
Shree Maa sang with the music as She invited the Goddess.
Enjoy the Video:
The atmosphere was charged and the palpable feeling of the Divine energy was so strong that one could feel it. Shree Maa sang along with the recorded Mahalaya and her voice pierced through the atmosphere as she sang “Jago Tumi Jago”.
Sticking with her routine, Shree Maa left in time for her morning tea and breakfast, but we quickly scurried back to the temple for the morning puja.
Swamiji and Shree Maa met in the temple prior to the puja. Swamiji looked focused and radiant. He is the best at performing the Samasti Upasana, which would be part of our regular morning sadhana througout Navaratri.
Swamiji first set up his altar and conferred with Shree Maa on a few things before they began.
Then he and Shree Maa climbed the altar and stood eye-to-eye with the Goddess.
Swamiji chanted to her and invoked the Goddess. In his spirited style, Swamiji spoke directly to the Goddess in Her language of Sanskrit. Durga responded back by appearing as though She was smiling back at him.
Enjoy this Short Video Clip:
After coming down from the stage, Swamiji warmly greeted everyone and invited all to join in puja to Durga, explaining this was not his puja, but rather our puja. He welcomed everyone to chant along with him.
The puja was extraordinary! Check out these photos:
We concluded the morning puja by singing the Chandi Maa Arati. The big drum was placed in front of Shree Maa and she really went to town! Swamiji and Maa sang to each other as the energy increased.
Ultimately, everyone was ecstatic and giggling with joy, while Shree Maa and Swamiji took a moment to smile at each other in a sign of deepest respect.
This puja is important to the Devi Mandir family and one I will always remember. It reminds us that whatever happens in the physical world, all of us are united through the Goddess’s energy. Each one of us is a flower on a very big mala. When we can understand how She brings us together, we can transcend duality.
We are now mid-day on the first day. I am afraid we will have to finish up Mahalaya tomorrow. Stay with us for more.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 5: Preparations for Navaratri
The next morning Shree Maa moved her morning Chandi Path to the Navaratri Temple which was located on the roof. Swamiji continue to perform his chanting in the home temple on the main floor.
The Navaratri Temple is actually outside, but they built a roof made of light wood for a frame, covered it in cloth, and the structure looks to be a sturdy indoor temple. But actually is is outside and so was hot and needed big fans to keep us cool.
Shree Maa’s wavy hair was blowing all over the place and She would not accept a hairband. Instead she put her chadar over her head which made for some very beautiful photographs of Shree Maa.
Just as Shree Maa finished the Chandi Path, a very special devotee from Gangotri, Uttam, came to pay Shree Maa his respects.
After Chandi Path, Shree Maa ordered the work crew into gear as they began making arrangements for Mahalaya, which marks the start of the Durga Navaratri festival due to start the next day.
She arranged special clay ghee lamps, made arati trays, put the Chandi picture on the altar, prepared for the homa, hung additional decorations, prepared flowers and malas, gave dieties ornaments, etc. It was very active but very harmonious as the devotees from East and West worked together well as a team.
In the evening, several devotees crowded around Swamiji to listen to spiritual stories. Swamiji has something to share and teach everyone. It is simply amazing to watch him teach weaving in multiple languages so nobody is left out.
The evening ended with arati, kirtan, and prasad. What a day! We were all so busy but the excitement is growing for the start of the festival tomorrow.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 4: Family, Friends, and Devotees Visit Shree Maa and Swamiji
The next few days will prove to be hustle and bustle as we set up the main temple altar and host several guests and family members who are so anxious to share their love and devotion with their Mother.
In the morning Shree Maa and Swamiji awoke early and Shree Maa performed puja while Swamiji chanted the Cosmic Puja and Chandi Path in the house altar room. It was nice to see them together.
Shree Maa’s altar was beautifully adorned with yellow and gold marigold flowers.
After morning Sadhana, Shree Maa’s family payed a visit. They chatted while I snapped several photos. Shree Maa also handed out presentations to each of them, which always makes them happy.
Swamiji was also spending time connecting with many of his people, some from which he know long ago. He told spiritual stories while he mesmerized his devotees.
Within a blink of an eye they all gathered around their feet to massage them.
In the evening we celebrated a Kirtan with the close Kolkata devotees.
Devotion in India is so pure. These are some of Shree Maa’s long time devotees looking at Shree Maa with devotion from their heart.
After Kirtan we performed arati and Shree Maa and Swamiji gave blessings.
It is such a blessed time in Kolkata. Devotion and love are off the charts here and it is such a joy to watch Shree Maa tell stories and giggle with her family and old time devotees. Thank you Kolkata for this pleasure!
Now, tomorrow will be a big day as we are setting up for Navaratri. Stay tuned!
Travelogue 3: Shree Maa Arrives in Kolkata
Shree Maa arrived in Kolkata and was warmly greeted by the Prasad family.
This divine family will be our host for the Navaratri event.
They have a very large four story mansion that can accommodate Shree Maa, Swamiji and their team of helpers and devotees.
They are simply amazing hosts.
Shree Maa entered the house and immediately took comfort on a yellow sofa that was specially decorated for her with wispy greenery.
As she rested, the lady of the house washed and massaged her feet.
I visited this home in 2015 with Shree Maa and Swamiji and I could not imagine where a big temple would have been put on the property. Well, I had forgotten about the upstairs roof!
It is here that they decorated with the greatest fervor and imagination to convert it into a temple. This temple is a display of a family’s utmost devotion to God. Every wall is covered with silk and ornaments. All of this was built out within the last year.
Shree Maa fell in love with the new baby boy of the house, one year old Raghav. Here he is nestled in her arms as she sings Gopala to him. She spreads such love and joy wherever she is!
As Shree Maa waited for her beloved Swamiji to arrive, she did not hesitate to perform puja in the household temple.
When Swamiji arrived, not surprising that he too was made comfortable on the yellow sofa and got his feet washed.
Maa and Swamiji are now united with a common goal. Their sankalpa is to make this the most glorious Navaratri yet. Keep in touch to see pictures and videos of the events to come.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!
Travelogue 2: Shree Maa Arrives in Delhi
Shree Maa arrived in Delhi and was hosted in Sanjay Agrawal’s home. Sanjay’s house always serves as a hub for Shree Maa while She travels to India as the home is 30 minutes from the airport.
Shree Maa took a little rest for a while to recover from the long trip, but it didn’t take her long to get to the famous Dakshina Kali Lotus Temple to offer that beautiful marigold mala she carried in her luggage.
For the past month of Badra, Shree Maa has been performing special pujas and homas to Maha Lakshmi. True to form, She performed a Lakshmi Homa in Sanjay’s temple room at the house. Check out the video and picture gallery:
The Delhi devotees were thrilled with Shree Maa’s visit but they wished they could have Her stay longer. After only a few days time, she caught a plane to Kolkata where She is now preparing for Navaratri!
Jai Maa! Stay with us for more updates on Navaratri!
Travelogue 1: Leaving for India
The blessed time of Navaratri is upon us and Shree Maa was all smiles in anticipation of Her trip to India.
As custom, She made a mala right before leaving and carefully packed it in the suitcase. This beautiful mala was destined to be offered to the Kali in the Delhi Temple.
I seriously don’t think her smile could have been bigger and her face brighter!
As She left the house, she packed her adorable traveling Ganesha in a purse and kept him snug to her body as Swami Pranava joined her in leaving for the airport.
They then relaxed at the airport with a cup of Chai before departure. Shree Maa looked absolutely radiant and she eagerly awaited Mother India to open her arms and welcome Her home.
Shree Maa’s joy was contagious as She anticipated the upcoming Navaratri event in Kolkata. It will certainly be spectacular as devotees from all over the world flock to the Prasad House for a daily Durga puja and an evening kirtan.
Shree Maa is excited to see Her long-time devotees in India some of which She has not seen in years.
More to come after our Mother lands in India!