Navaratri: The worship of Goddess Durga, 25 September - 4 October

15.09.2014

Navaratri: The worship of Goddess Durga, 25 September - 4 October

The worship of Goddess Durga will take place at the Warburton Interfaith Ashram over 10 days, from 25 September to 4 October. It is known in India as Navaratri (9 nights). This very famous ceremony is celebrated twice each year, in spring and autumn, at astrologically auspicious times.

The Navaratri festival celebrates the various manifestations of the Goddess, Mother of the Universe, who protects each of her children or 'embodied souls' (jiva). It is a sacred process which allows participants to achieve physical, spiritual and energetical purification, and to awaken Kundalini-shakti. Moreover, the Durga ritual of worship (Durga puja) gives the ability to overcome obstacles on the spiritual path till the next Navaratri.

Each day, the morning ceremony (puja) will take place from 8 am till 10 am. It involves making 16 offerings to the goddess, chanting her thousand names, recitation of hymns in her honour, consecration of the place and of the people with her nectar. The evening ritual, which consists of a fire ceremony (havan), will take place from 6 pm till 8 pm. Each puja will include a detailed explanation.

The tenth day of Navaratri is the most important, because it gives the deepest purification. There is no morning puja. Instead, the Shri Yantra puja will take place from 1 pm till 4 pm The fire ritual (agnihotra), from 5.30 pm till 8 pm, will finalize the festivity. Flowers and fruits will be offered to the goddess and food will be shared (prasad) with the participants.

The description of this festival is given in sacred texts such as the Devi Mahatmya and other tantric sources.

The Durga Puja will be performed by Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj, an ordained Master of Yoga and Tantra, who belongs to the Natha Tradition (natha sampradaya). He has the right to initiate followers into this ceremony and other practices.

Location: To be held at Warburton Interfaith Ashram —  3227 Warburton Highway, Warburton 3799

Drive 1.7 km beyond Millgrove in direction of Warburton, you will see two large white tractor tyres on the left hand side of the road. Go between these through the gate with two white posts to the Meditation Hall at the back.

Suggested donation for salary owners: paper; for concession card holder (pensioners, students etc.): gold coin

For further information contact us on Email: matsyeshvar@gmail.com or Phone: 04 2581 1128.

The ceremonies for this Festival will be available on www.melainterfaith.org, www.nathas.org/en and YouTube