DEVI WORSHIP LOADEAD HOLY MONTH OF BHADRUPADA

DEVI WORSHIP LOADED HOLY MONTH OF BHADRUPADA   EQUALLY POISED IN RITUALS AND WORSHIPS

(Compilation from Discourses of Hindu Reflections, September 2019)

Hindu calendar month of   Bhadrapada in the Chaturmasa is auspicious for worshiping a blend of Deities, Sages and Pithrus; a unique opportunity to get discharged from Deva, Rishi and Pithru rinas (debts). First half of the month is dedicated to the worship of Devathas and Rishi Gana, second half of Bhadrapada Masam is totally dedicated to the worship of Pithru Devathas that is known as Pithru Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. During this fortnight we pay our obeisance to our forefathers by performing sacred rites. In this month giving   charity is   considered highly meritorious  

It is believed that after the death, the soul would remain in an intermediate world (loka) known as the Pitru loka. The soul stays in the pitru loka until the fourth descendant enters the same and once the fourth descendant comes, the first soul would move to the heaven or the swarga loka. So at any given time only three generations of the soul would reside in the pitru loka. This world is governed by Lord Yama. It is believed that the souls of the ancestors would come down and reside with the descendants in their home during this period and hence one should perform the traditional ritual to satisfy the ancestors.  This month is known for the following festivals and rituals

Hindu Americans know very well that the most played and performed song of all time is “Happy Birthday” and rush to greet someone known to them. How come they miss Devisand Avatars of Vishnu while they celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi week-long. The five Birthdays in Bhadrapada are--Varaha, Ganesha, Vamana, Bhuvaneswari and Radharani.

Varaha Jayanti

Lord Vishnu worshiped in His third Avatar as half-human and half-boar. His Jayanti  falls in the Shukla Paksha of Magh month on the second day or Dwitiya Tithi in South India. In the North   this Jayanthi is celebrated on Bhadrapada sukla Triteeya, on Gowri Habba day of Karnataka, a day before Ganesh Chaturthi    

Gowri Habba--celebrated usually a day before Ganesh Chaturthi.

Hartalika Teej - Haritalika Teej comes one month after Hariyali Teej and most of the time celebrated one day before Ganesh Chaturthi.

Ganesh Chaturthi - On Ganesha (Bhadrapada Sukla) Chaturthi devotees worship Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

Rishi Panchami - Rishi Panchami is not a festival but a fasting day observed by women to pay obeisance to the Sapta Rishis and to get purified from Rajaswala Dosha.

Mahalakshmi Vrat is observed for a period of sixteen consecutive days, starting from the ‘Ashtami’ (8th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the Hindu calendar month of ‘Bhadrapada’ and ends on ‘Krishna Paksha Ashtami’ (8th day during the waning phase of moon) 

(Mahalakshmi Vrat 2019 started on September 06, Friday and will end on September 21, Saturday)

Lalita Saptami --a festival celebrated in the honor of Sri Lalita Devi on the third day after  Ganesh Chaturthi 

Radha Ashtami - Radha Ashtami celebrates the birth of Radha, who was the consort of the Lord Krishna during the period of his life when he lived among the cowherds of Vrindavana. Srimati Radharani’s glorious birth occurred on the eighth day of the bright moon in the month of Bhadrapada

Aduhkah Navami is observed on the ninth day during the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in the Bhadrapad month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India.

Vaman Jayanti -celebrated every year on Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. It is also known as Vamana Dwadashi.

Indra-Govinda Puja Day-- Indra Govinda Puja is observed in memory of this divine event in Orissa,   observed on full moon (Poornima) day in Bhadrapad month.

Parsva Ekadashi - Parsva Ekadashi is one of the twenty four Ekadashi vrats which are observed to seek blessing of Lord Vishnu.

 Mahalakshmi Vrat - Mahalakshmi Vrat begins on Shukla Ashtami during Bhadrapada month which comes after four days of Ganesha Chaturthi

Nuakhai – Odisha   Festival-- now being observed on the fifth day of the second fortnight of Bhadrava dedicated to Mother Earth.

Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti -- celebrated   immediately after Nuakhai Festival that falls on the Dwadashi of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month

Onam--Onam once a  Hindu Harvest festival now celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala, India and wherever they are settled honoring annual visit of King Bali to worship Aiyappan

Biswakarma Puja dedicated to Biswakarma, the divine architect of the universe in Hinduism is held on Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha Chatudasi in Bengal, Odisha and other parts of Eastern India

Navajyotis or Devis of Vellore-

These nine lamps burn all the time perennially and during all festivals of Devis.

Varaha Jayanti: Importance and celebration

One of his more celebrated avatars, the Varaha (boar) form is believed to be Lord Vishnu’s third incarnation on earth.  Lord Vishnu descended on Earth in His third Avatar  as half-human and half-boar and  rushed in fury   to vanquish two of the mightiest demons who had tormented all three worlds. The prayers offered on this day are believed to ward off evil and bless you with a life full of happiness

Devotees worship Lord Vishnu on this day, which falls in the Shukla Paksha of Magh month on the second day or Dwitiya Tithi. In the North   this Jayanthi is celebrated on Bhadrapada sukla Triteeya, on Gowri Habba day of Karnataka, a day before Ganesh Chaturthi.

Vishnu, who is known to be the protector of all the realms in Hindu mythology, is worshipped across the country by devotees who keep faith in his different avatars. It is believed In Hindu mythology that worshipping Lord Varaha bestows the subject with immense riches and good health.

The rituals of Varaha Jayanti

Varaha Temples are sporadic unlike Narasimha Temples.  Mysore has a Varaha temple located inside the Mysore palace. There is an ancient KurmaoVaraha temple in Linga form with two dwajastambhas in Andhra Prasdesah. An ancient temple in Mathura is dedicated to Lord Varaha where one of the biggest celebrations takes place on Varaha Jayanti. Another temple famous for the celebration of Varaha Jayanti is Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple located in Tirumala. 

The festival of Varaha Jayanti is observed in India on two different days    as dictated by religious pundits and astrologers. Prayers are offered early morning after the devotee has taken his bath. The devotees can go to a temple deifying Lord Vishnu or at a place of worship of their choice at their home. The following rituals go into celebrating the day:

1. The idol of Lord Varaha (Vishnu) is placed inside a metal pot (Kalash).
2. The kalash is filled with water and Mango leaves are soaked in it. A coconut is placed on the top and then donated to a Brahmin.
3. The devotees read out  slokas from the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita.
4. Those who observe a Varaha Jayanti fast are required to donate clothes and money to the needy people on the eve of Varaha Jayanti. It is believed that offering things to the underprivileged and poor helps in seeking blessings of Lord Vishnu.

The legend behind Varaha Jayanti

According to the Puranas, Diti, one of thirteen wives of Kashyapa (a sage), gave birth to two highly powerful demons named Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Holika, who turned out to be an evil demoness, and whose burning is observed across India as Holi – the festival of colors – was also born of her womb. Both male children grew up to be powerful but treaded the path of adharma instead of dharma. Hiranyakashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha invoked Lord Brahma whom they managed to please with their unshakable faith and uninterrupted prayers. When Lord Brahma blessed them with his appearance and told them to make a wish, they requested the creator of the worlds to make them invincible in any realm.

After Lord Brahma granted them their wish, the two sons of Diti went on a rampage in all the three worlds. According to legend, the two brothers went on to conquer the three worlds. But their hunger for more destruction couldn’t be satiated. That’s when they headed towards the kingdom of Lord Varuna, then known as Vibhaari Nagari. Lord Varuna told the two asuras (demons) to stay away from the kingdom reminding them that Lord Vishnu is their guardian angel and protects the universe, and that they could never defeat him.

Enraged by his insult, Hiranyaksha went in the search of Lord Vishnu to defeat him and claim invincibility as bestowed to him by Lord Brahma. By the time he discovered Lord Vishnu, the protector of realms was reborn as Lord Varaha. This is the moment when it is believed that Hiranyaksha saw Lord Varaha balancing the earth on his tusks. Lord Varaha goes on to kill Hiranyaksha in a battle that ensues ending the reign of terror he had unleashed along with his brother. It is from this day, people started believing in Lord Vishnu’s third incarnation as a wild boar. They have since been worshipping Lord Varaha and observing fast on Varaha Jayanti to keep evil at bay and live a dharmic life in service of others.

 GOWRI HABBA OF KARNATAKA

Gowri Habba, or Gowri Ganesha Festival, is observed during the Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival in Karnataka. Gowri Habba is  celebrated usuallly  a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. Gouri Habba is also known as Swarna Gouri Vratam. On this day, Goddess Gowri (Parvathi) is worshipped. The ritual and observance is held on the third day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Bhadrapad month as per tradition and according to the Chandramana calendar.

Gauri Habba is performed by both married and unmarried women. A golden image of Goddess Parvati is worshipped on the Gauri Habba day by some communities. The popular belief is that Goddess Parvati visits her devotees on the day and Lord Ganesha comes on the next day (Ganesh Chaturthi day) to take her back to Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva. Married women perform Ganesh Gauri for a happy and peaceful married life. Unmarried womenperform it for getting good husbands.

Some communities make Gauri Idol using Turmeric. Usually the idol is prepared using Turmeric. A clay artifact of Goddess Gauri can also be procured from the market and consecrated. There are several regional variations in the observance. In some places, a clay idol of Ganesha is also worshiped. The main legend is to bring back the memory of creation of Ganesha from the body ingredients of Goddess Gauri.  The Ganesh Gauri Festival observed in Maharashtra during the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival   is different from this.

TEEJ FESTIVAL

Teej fasting day is also a day before Ganesh Chaturthi. The last day of Teej (September 3, 2019) is observed as Rishi Panchami dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva and is observed for three consecutively as Hartalika Teej in India.  Teej commemorates the intense austerity observed by Goddess Parvati to get Lord Shiva as husband.

In Nepal, Teej is also the period when married women visit their parents. The night before Teej day is known as Dar khane Di. The day after Teej is Ganesh Chaturthi and special prayers are held. Women also break the fast on this day.

The next day is Rishi Panchami and special prayers are offered to the Sapta Rishis.  In India, there are three Teej festivals and the most important is the Hartalika Teej.

JYESHTHA GAURI PUJAN

Jyeshta Gauri Pujan is performed in many households during Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Maharashtra. In 2019, Gauri Avahan was on September 5, 2019. Gauri Puja was on September 6 and Gauri Visarjan was on September 7, 2019.

Goddess Gauri is another name for Goddess Parvati, the mother of Ganesha. Arrival of Goddess Gauri in homes is said to bring health, wealth, happiness and prosperity. Two idols of Goddess Gauri are brought to home and worshiped and the arrival is regarded as the coming of the sisters of Ganesha by some communities. Most people believe that it is Goddess Parvati, Mother of Ganesha.

THREE-DAYS OF GAURI-GANAPATI  

The idols of Gauri are brought usually two days after the beginning of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is placed for three days – first day is the day of Avahana, next day it is the main Gauri Puja and also Satyanarayan puja and on the third day Gauri is immersed (Visarjana)  in water. Legend has it that the two forms Gauri follow Ganesha to the homes.

Gauri Puja is also considered as Upasana of Goddess Lakshmi in some regions. The idols of Goddess Gauri which are brought in pairs – two different forms of Gauri – are decorated and special pujas are offered. Women also perform the community puja along with Haldi Kumkum ceremony. Goddess Gauri killing a demon is narrated after the puja. The popular belief is that Goddess Gauri visits and resides in homes during the period. Therefore the houses are kept clean and new decorations are added to welcome the Goddess. Special food is also prepared during the period.

Many Hindus might raise their eyebrows when they hear Gauri as sister of Ganesha. Gauri Puja during Vinayaka Chaturthi in certain parts of Maharashtra, especially in Pune, is different where Goddess Gauri is   believed to be the sister of Ganapati.  Gauri Puja that  is held the day before or on Ganesh Chaturthi in Karnataka, and in it,  Gauri there is the Mother of Ganesha. In West Bengal, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati are sisters of Ganesha and all three are children of Goddess Durga.

 OTHER DEVI FESTIVALS FROM GANESH CHATURTHI TO DIWALI

After Ganesha Chaturthi till Diwali the whole period is devoted to Mother Earth in her role as Bhuvaneshwari presiding and ending with Kedara Gowri Vratha and Lakshmi puja.  While Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada Month is Divine  (Devarina period) mainly focused on Devi Worships by ladies Krishna Paksha is Pitru Paksha (Pitrurina period) considered sacred fortnight to offer the traditional ritual of performing the Shradaa Karma by males.

 It is rather intriguing how Hindu American Multi-traditional Temples often ignore some of these popular Devi festivals and rituals described below including Lalita Saptami. Probably main Philanthropist Temple Fathers of Hindu temples in USA are from South   who have practically no knowledge about these. I mostly lived in the North and so familiar with some of these.  Born in Mysore    I used to visit Bhudevi  temple near my house daily located in Bhudevi Farm,  a rich  and huge garden that grew  vegetables  for the entire community. This was a lone temple for Bhudevi in Mysore probably in Karnataka too.

MAHALAKSHMI VRAT

Mahalakshmi Vrat is observed for a period of sixteen consecutive days, starting from the ‘Ashtami’ (8th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) in the Hindu calendar month of ‘Bhadrapada’ and ends on ‘Krishna Paksha Ashtami’ (8th day during the waning phase of moon) 

Mahalakshmi vrat is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and fortune. The fasting starts four days after the auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi festival and continues till the eight day of the Pitru Paksha (the fortnight dedicated to ancestors) period. In Mahalakshmi Vrat Hindu devotees keep a strict fast for Goddess Lakshmi and receive Her divine blessings. This vrat is observed with full fervor and dedication in the Northern Regions of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. On the day of Mahalakshmi Vrat (Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami), devotees wake up at sunrise and take an early bath. Special prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi every morning for 16 continuous days. All the eight forms of Mahalakshmi are worshipped during this period.

 As a part of the ritual, sixteen knots are tied in a string and the observer of Mahalakshmi Vrat wears it on his/her left hand. Devotees worship the idol of Goddess Lakshmi with utmost dedication and pray the Goddess to shower happiness and prosperity on their entire family. At the conclusion of puja, sixteen Durva grass is tied together is dipped in water and then sprinkled over the body. 

RADHASHTAMI

Radhashtami is also celebrated on the eighth day of Bhadrapada Sukla. Devotees celebrate Radhashtami as the appearance anniversary of Srimati Radharani, who is Lord Krishna’s greatest devotee, the feminine aspect of the Absolute Truth, and Lord Krishna’s energy Personified.

Her special qualification is that she is the best devotee of Krishna. Krishna therefore loves her the most. On Her festival day, devotees seeking Krishna’s grace will especially ask her to grant them devotion to Her beloved Lord, knowing that if they can attain Her favor, they can attain His as a natural consequence. On Radhastami,   Radha   is traditionally dressed entirely in flowers outfits in Vrindavan. Additionally, Radhashtami is the only day on which devotees may receive darshan of Radharani’s lotus feet. On all other days Her feet remain covered.

NUAKHAI – ODISHA FESTIVAL OF MOTHER EARTH   

Nuakhai, as the name suggests that nua means new and khai means food. So, the festival of nuakhai is a festival to celebrate newly harvested food by the farmers. One day after the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi it is celebrated especially in the Western part of Odisha with much pomp and jubilation. People staying in distant lands come back to their native places, wear new clothes and offer prayers before the God and eat delicious foods prepared from the newly harvested crops.

Nuakhai festival traces its origin to the Vedic period where the sages or Rishis used to talk about Panchyajna. One among them was Pralambana yajna which means the cutting of new crops and offering them to mother goddess as followed in Nuakhai festival.

Although it has lost its significance over the centuries, oral tradition of this festival dates back to 12th century A.D. when this festival was celebrated by Chauvan Raja Ramai Deo at Patanagarh which is currently known as Bolangir district of Odisha. The king was alive to the relevance of agriculture for the economic development of the State and hence the celebration of Nuakhai festival promoting the agrarian way of life in the Western Odisha region instead of the previously practiced hunting and gathering.

Nuakhai Festival gives the present society a great message of the relevance of agriculture in the economic progress of the country and the role of farmers in the process of nation building in those days and also in the present days similar to Makara Sankranti, Pongal and Onam. Hence, the progress and welfare of farmers should be the key for  the development of nation.

Nuakhai celebration starts with the preparation for the festival almost two weeks before the festival. Nuakhai is understood to have nine colors and as a consequence, nine sets of rituals are followed as a prelude to the actual day of celebration starting from Behrana to Nuakhai and all culminating in Juhar Bhet. In a sequential manner these nine colors include: Beheren (announcement of a meeting to set the date), Lagna dekha (setting the exact date for partaking of new rice) , Daka haka (invitation), Sapha sutura and lipa-puchha (cleanliness), Kina bika (purchasing), Nua dhan khuja (looking for the new crop), Bali paka (final resolve for Nuakhai by taking Prasad the offering to the deity), Nuakhai (eating the new crop as Prasad after offering it to the deity, followed by dancing and singing), Juhar bhet (respect to elders & gift transfers).

The nuakhai juhar, which is the exchange of greetings with friends, well-wishers, and relatives symbolizes unity. This is an occasion for people to lay their differences and start relationships afresh. In the evening of Nuakhai, people meet one another, exchanging greeting seeking elder’s blessings for long life, happiness, and prosperity. Even the partitioned brothers celebrate the festival under one roof. This shows the kind of unity, fraternity and bonding the festival promotes in the society along with its agricultural relevance.

On the occasion, folk songs and dances are organized displaying local culture, tradition and various shades of the society. As the festival has achieved national outreach with people form the Western Odisha staying in different parts of the country, a showcase of folk culture, songs and traditions take place through this festival of Nuakhai.

Nuakhai festival is another great festival of the state of Odisha which is known for celebrating 13 festival in 12 months as said popularly in Odia  ‘Bara Massa re Teraa Parva’.

In this holy and auspicious occasion of Nauakhai a warm wish to everyone and lets pray before Maa Samaleswari, the famous mother goddess of Sambalpur district of Odisha, to offer peace and prosperity to all.

Nuakhai Juhar!!!

--Times of India

Nuakhai celebrated throughout India

According to State records, Nuakhai festival been observed by nearly all the major tribes in Central and Eastern India, with a minor difference in nomenclature. Jeth Nawakhai is celebrated among the Dudh Kharia and Pahari Kharia, Nawakhani amongst the Oraon and Birjia, Jom Nawa among the Munda and Birjia, Janther or Baihar-Horo Nawai by the Santal, Gondli Nawakhani by the tribal people of Ranchi district, Nawa by the Birjia, Nawa-Jom by the Birhor, Dhan Nawakhani by Korwa, and so on. Russel and Hiralal   have mentioned the Nawakhani festival of the Paraja, a small tribe found in the Bastar region and Odisha. Gautam (1977) observed a new corn offering and rice eating festival of the Santals in Santal Pargana which they term Jom Nawa. Das Gupta (1978) has noted the Nawa ceremony of the Birjia, a section of the Asura tribe of Chhotanagpur. Bhaduri (1944:149-50) presents a short note on the celebration of a festival of the Tripura known as Mikatal where Mi stands for rice and Katal means new. It is celebrated in the month of Aswina (September–October).In the coastal districts of Odisha, the festival is called Nabanna by the caste-Hindus. Regardless of the name, the main objective of this festival is to get social sanction for the new crop, and to invoke the deities to bless the land with abundant crops.

Nuakhai is a cohesive and unified force between people of the Western Odisha living in Delhi, as they unite and celebrate together the occasion of Nuakhai. People from the Odisha now living in Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Surat and Visakhapatnam have been celebrating Nuakhai in their new cities for the past few decades. The modern Nuakhai festival, now being observed on the fifth day of the second fortnight of Bhadrava, was unquestionably given a new look of homogeneity and uniformity by various social organizations of Western Odisha, including the Odisha Government in 1991. It has lost some of its enormity and variety with the passage of time, but Nuakhai is still an occasion which endorses the patrimonial nature of the Sambalpuri culture and society. Worship of Jagannatha as Daru(tree)  Brahman and  thanking Mother  Earth for the abundance of crop  is a tribute and obeisance to Nature itself as Prakriti.

Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti – Bhuvaneshwari Mahavidya Jayanti

Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti  is celebrated   immediately after Nuakhai Festival that falls on the Dwadashi of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month. She is a powerful incarnation of Goddess Shakti and worshipped throughout India.

Bhuvaneshvari (Bhuvaneshwari) is the fourth amongst the ten Mahavidya goddesses in Hinduism, and an aspect of Devi as elements of the physical cosmos in giving shape to the creation of the World. The word Bhuvaneśwari is a compound of the words Bhuvana Iśwari, meaning "Goddess of the worlds" or "Queen of the universe", where the worlds are the tri-bhuvana or three regions of bhūḥ (Earth), bhuvaḥ (atmosphere) and svaḥ (Heavens). In North America, Bhuvaneshwari is worshipped at Parashakthi Temple in Pontiac, Michigan. The Samaleswari shrine and Cuttack Chandi Temple in Odisha  are dedicated to her. Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti is believed to be the day when Goddess Bhuvaneshwari incarnated on earth.  Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti is celebrated   immediately after Nuakhai Festival. Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti falls on the Dwadashi of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month.

In the Vedas she is known as Aditi, the infinite or the indivisible Mother, the great origin and cosmic womb, who is space. Naukhai festival is now celebrated on all India basis dedicated to Bhuvaneswari, Mother Earth.   In Sambalpur, at the stipulated lagna (auspicious moment), the head priest of Samaleswari Temple offers the nua-anna or nabanna to the goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur .

aśvakrānte rathakrānte viṣṇukrānte vasundharā .
śirasā dhārayiṣyāmi rakṣasva māṁ pade pade 

O Earth that is traversed by a horse, a chariot and Viṣṇu, I shall keep thee on my head, protect me a every step.

 bhūmirdhenurdharaṇī lokadhāriṇī .
uddhṛtāsi varāheṇa kṛṣṇena śatabāhunā
mṛttike hana pāpaṁ yanmayā duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam .
mṛttike brahmadattāsi kāśyapenābhimantritā .
mṛttike dehi me puṣṭiṁ tvayi sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam
mṛttike pratiṣṭhite sarvaṁ tanme nirṇuda mṛttike
tvayā hatena pāpena gacchāmi paramāṁ gatim

The earth is the giver of happiness like the milk cow, the sustainer of life and support for all living beings. (Represented as such the earth is addressed)

Thou wert raised up by Kṛṣṇa (one who delights the world that is                          (Parabrahman) in His incarnation of the boar having hundred hands. This he demonstrated in Krishna Avatar by lifting Govardhan Mountain with his little finger to regulate water flow and avoid tsunami!

O excellent earth, destroy my evil deeds as well as sins connected with me! O excellent earth, thou art a gift from God to creatures! Thou art prayed over by Kaśyapa! O excellent earth, grant me prosperity, for everything depends on thee!

O excellent earth, on which all creatures are supported, cleanse all that (sin) from me! O excellent earth, my sins having been destroyed by thee, I attain to the highest goal.

aditirdevā gandharvā manuṣyāḥ pitaro'surāsteṣāɱ | sarvabhūtānāṁ mātā medinī mahatī mahī sāvitrī gāyatrī | jagatyurvī pṛthvī bahulā viśvā bhūtā katamā kāyā sā | satyetyamṛteti vāsiṣṭhaḥ 

The sage Vasistha declared that Āditi is the Mother and protector of gods, of celestial minstrels, of men, of departed ancestors, of demons and others; that she is possessed of hardness or cohesiveness, that she is excellent and honored, that she belongs to the Divine Spirit, that she is fit to be praised, contingent and supporting all, that she is rich in crops, broad and possessing a wealth of objects, that she is universal and comprising of the primary element, that she is exceedingly blissful, transformed into the bodies of creatures, illustrious, enduring and hence immortal.

A sacrificial ground is made holy by taking a horse over it. To indicate the sacredness of the earth the word aśvakrānte is used. So also it is believed that the earth is purified by the wheel of a chariot. In the incarnation of Trivikrama, Viṣṇu placed one foot on the earth and paced heaven. The earth is made sacred in that way also. The earth having these associa­tions for holiness is considered particularly holy. What wonder if man is struck by feelings of reverence when he remembers the earth which is his support and source of nourishment?! Therefore as a symbolic act of self-purification the religious man places a little earth on his head muttering this mantra over it when he is about to take his morning bath.

 The repetition of the address ‘O excellent earth’ five times should be taken as an indication of the devotion which the seer of the mantra felt when he thought of the glory of the earth.

 Hindu religion reverences the earth which supports all life with the same feelings which a mother would call in the minds of her children. The earth is cited as the suitable illustra­tion whenever one is in need of impressing about the necessity of patience. Man transforms the surface of the earth by cut­ting, digging, levelling and building with hard implements. Yet she yields him prosperity and enjoyment in turn.

While the word Bhūmi denotes the earth, here the term Āditi refers to the deity embodied by it. This passage is a praise of the Supreme as the Deity of the Earth.

Rigveda 1.89.10

 aditirdyauraditirantarikṣamaditirmātā sa pitā sa putraḥ |
viśve devā aditiḥ pañca janā aditirjātamaditirjanitvam ||

Aditi is the heaven, Aditi is mid-air, Aditi is the Mother and the Sire and Son. Aditi is all Gods, Aditi five-classed men, Aditi all that hath been born and shall be born.

What is Lalita Saptami?

Lalita Saptami is a festival celebrated in the honor of Sri Lalita Devi on  the third day after  Ganesh Chaturthi  and hence called Saptami.    The day is rejoiced by almost every Hindu as it is the birth anniversary of the closest friend of Shri Radha Rani named Shri Lalita Devi. She was one of the closest friends of Lord Krishna and Shri Radha Rani and was regarded as the most devoted Gopi among all the others. Lalita Saptami takes place exactly a day prior to the occasion of Radha Ashtami and 14 days after the festival of Janmashtami. So do not forget Radha though she feels people in their enthusiasm to celebrate her birthday may ignore her mentor Lalita Devi!

Why do we celebrate Lalita Saptami?

Lalita Saptami is the day of appearance of Lalita Devi and it falls in the Bhadrapada month, on the seventh day of Shukla Paksha. The day of Lalita Saptami holds immense significance and it is regarded as highly auspicious to worship Lalita Devi on this day. 

She used to have immense love and supreme passion towards her beloved Krishna and Radharani. All the other Ashtasakhis used to work under the guidance of Lalita Devi only. They used to offer much devotion and respect to Lalita Devi as their guardian for their service of Krishna and Radha.

She was born in the village of Karehla and her father brought Lalita Devi to Uccagaon. There is a rock which contains the imprints of the lotus feet of Lalita Devi as well as the utensils which were used by her to feed Lord Krishna. In the presence of the sunlight, the imprints glitter and shine at times.

 What is the significance of Lalita Saptami?

Lalita Devi is recognized as one of the eight Gopis of Lord Krishna who seems to be the biggest devotee of Radharani and Lord Krishna. Out of the Ashtasakhis i.e. the eight varishtha Gopis, Lalita Devi is the foremost. The other Ashtasakhis includes Vishakha, Tungavidya, Chitralekha, Indulekha, Champakalata, Sudevi and Rangadevi. All the AshtaSakhis signify the spiritual love for their beloved Lord Krishna and Radharani. It is believed that no one can even exceed or equal the love which they possess for Radha-Krishna. Lalita Devi was 14 years, 8 months and 27 days older than Radharani and was the oldest out of all the other Gopis. Lalita Devi is renowned as a loyal and constant friend of Radharani.

Lalita Saptami celebration and rituals

In Vrindavan and Braj Bhoomi, there are a number of temples where Lord Krishna and Radharani are flanked by two Sakhis named Vishakha and Lalita. Lalita is considered as the most loyal companion and the biggest follower of Radharani and always take the side of Radha only. Her one and only desire is to serve Krishna and Radha. The well-known pious Lalita Kund situated in Vrindavan is famous for granting liberation to the devotees. It is signified as the most fortunate and auspicious manifestation that represents the love and devotion of Lalita Devi for Radha and Krishna which eliminates all the hurdles on the path of dedication and devotion. Worshipping Lalita Devi along with Lord Krishna and Radharani on Lalia Saptami is highly auspicious.

Some devotees also observe a Lalita Saptami Fast, which, as per the belief, was suggested by Lord Krishna himself. This Vrat is majorly observed by married couples for the long life and health of their children.

VAMANA-TRIVIKRAMA JAYANTHI

Vaman Jayanti is celebrated every year on Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. It is also known as Vamana Dwadashi.

Vamana   is the fifth avatar of Hindu god Vishnu.  He incarnates in a time of crisis to restore cosmic balance by creatively defeating the Asura king Mahabali, who had acquired disproportionate power over the universe. According to Hindu mythology, the noble demon king sponsors a sacrifice and gift giving ceremony to consolidate his power, and Vishnu appears at this ceremony as a dwarf mendicant Brahmin called Vamana.  When Vamana's turn comes to receive a gift, Mahabali offers him whatever riches and material wealth he would like, but Vamana refuses everything and states he would just like three paces of land. Mahabali finds the dwarf's request amusingly small and irrevocably grants it.  Vamana then grows into a giant of cosmic proportions. In one step he covers the earth and the underworld, in another the heavens, and for the third, Mahabali offers his head on which Vamana steps, sending the demon king to the Patala (netherworld).  

The Vamana avatar has roots in Vedic texts of Hinduism. The hymns of the Rigveda describes Vishnu as that benevolent god who in three steps defined all there is in the universe.  The giant form of Vamana is also known as Trivikrama (literally, "three steps").  The Vamana legend has been a popular one, inspiring icons found in Hindu temples and sections in Hindu Puranas.

INDRA-GOVINDA PUJA DAY

Furious Indra, created non-stop rain over Braj and flooded the entire region. The downpour continued for days. This was a challenge to Krishna from Indra.  Krishna lifted Govardhan hill with his little finger and provided shelter to humans and animals. Was that part of Mother Earth lifted as Mountain (partvate sthana mardhinee)

Indra Govinda Puja is observed in memory of this divine event in Orissa,   observed on full moon (Poornima) day in Bhadrapad month.

ADUKHAH NAVAMI

Aduka Navmi is observed on the ninth day during the Shukla Paksha or waxing

 phase of moon in the Bhadrapad month as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India. Adhukh aNavami is a ritual observed in the Bhadrapad Month. The rituals on the day are dedicated to Goddess Shakti.  Widowers (men who had lost their wives) offer food to the poor – especially to a poor married woman.  Women offer worship to Goddess Shakti for a good and prosperous year for the family and for having healthy and intelligent children in the family.

Vellore in Tamil Nadu is joked for its Five Wonders of the World that includes "A temple without God!"; "A fort without garrison" etc.  Do they know what Vellore was famous for? No surprise they do not know about this most important Devis' week   also but insist on karadiyan nonbu celebration in all temples!

Navashakti Jyothi and Nakshatradeepa at Jalakandeswarar    Navashakti Jyothi is a unique lamp at the famous Jalakandeswarar Temple in Vellore – Tamil Nadu. The temple is world famous for it is architecture and is
located inside the Vellore fort. Attached to the Navashakti Jyothi is the Nakshatra Deepa.

 Navashakti Jyothi Represents Nine Goddesses

The lamp is located in front of the Amman Shrine (Goddess Parvati) in the temple.  The lamp is round in shape. There is one big lamp in the center and there are eight small round lamps around it. These lamps are worshiped as Navajyotis or Devis.  The specialty of the lamp is that it never extinguishes. The nine forms of Goddess Durga (also synonymous with Gauri) or (Parvati) are: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.

Inside the Vellore Fort is the Jalagandeswarar Temple, built during the Vijayanagar Kingdom. This temple features some architectural marvels pertaining to that period like the Yalis (lion like creatures). The wedding hall in this temple has a carving in the stone that looks like elephant from one side and a horse from the opposite side. History has it that the Shiv Lingam in this temple was around an anthill, surrounded by a pond of water - hence the name Jalagandeswarar (Jalam - water; Eshwar - Shiva). This temple is another proof of the marvelous architecture of Vijayanagar Kingdom with exquisite carvings on the “gopuram” and many monoliths. During one of the Muslim invasion, this temple was looted and desecrated. To protect the main deity (Shiva), the Lingam was secretly taken out of the temple and was safeguarded inside a Ganesha Temple in the nearby village, Sathuvachari. Since the time the Vellore fort and temple came into the hands of Archaeological Survey of India (early 1920’s, even before Indian Independence) and strongly since the Independence, people in Vellore have been asking the government to restore the temple. However, the Government wanted to maintain status quo. In the year 1981, a group of people smuggled the Shiva Lingam into the temple overnight and placed it in the inner sanctum. The officers in charge complained to the government. However, no action was taken, as the government feared the retribution, if it ordered an evacuation. The following year, in the presence of the then Head of Sri Kanchi Matt, Kumbabhishekam was held. Thus, this Deity-less temple finally got its main deity.

Five Wonders of Vellore  joked by Tamils  are  Fort,  Sri Lakshmi Golden Temple, Vainu Bappu Observatory, Government Museum, and Science Park that has been extended to  Seven Wonders to match  with Seven Wonders of the World from a Vellore (1. River without Water; 2. Fort without a garrison; 3. Temple without a Deity; 4. Women without Beauty; 5. Men without Brains; 6. Police without Power and 7. Hills without Tree) native in jocular manner to remind everyone the tragic history associated with Vellore.   Besides lighter side of the joke his write up introduces us to the glory of the past and  its successive destruction by Muslim sand British rulers, building mosques and churches destroying Hindu temples, the struggle to restore the glory of the past and the tireless efforts of  Archeological  Survey of India and unwanted interference of State Governments in exploiting the temple  wealth restored by  free will of the people. To make a consolidated history of all such temples in India is not possible to even to Brahma, the Creator for it is so voluminous!    

Invoking in all deities, Parabrahman is worshiped as Isvarah sarva bhootaanam while Mother Earth is worshiped as Gandhadvaaraam duraadarshaam Isvaree sarvabhootanaanm in all modes of temple worship. In Vishnu temples mother Earth is always worshiped as Bhoodevi consecrated as processional deity that is as Bhuvaneswari.  In Siva temples Parvati is worshiped as daughter of Himavaan (Himalaya Mountain king) and thus associating her with Earth worship, as Bhuvaneswari.

Let us not forget these  most celebrated September--Bhadrapada Festivals on Devis suitable to all traditions ideally suited to Hindu American temples--sanghacchdvam samvadadvam sam aaraadhayadvam as our sages did! May be this calls for celebration of Bhadrapada Sukla Paksha Holy Fortnight Festivals   including Varaha Jayanti and Tiruvonam, the holiest fortnight of the year!

ONAM FESTIVAL

Onam is a Hindu Harvest festival celebrated by the Malayali people of Kerala, India and wherever they are settled.  Being migrants by nature they are every -where and celebrate this harvest festival wherever they are settled.  Originally a harvest festival, it lasts 10 days with official state holidays on three or four days starting from Onam Eve (Uthradom) to the Third Onam Day. It was then dedicated to Mother Earth. All the 10 days have different names.

The festival falls during the Malayalam month of Chingam that falls  on Dwadasi  Sukla paksha  in Bhadrapada.  Now with popularity of Aiyappan worship it marks the annual homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali who the Malayale consider as their King.

 Uthradam/First Onam  

This day is the eve of Onam and considered as the First Onam. It is the most auspicious day to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. According to traditional beliefs, Mahabali arrives in Kerala on this day. Hence, people clean their houses and do their final Onam shopping.

Thiruvonam Onam  

The main day of Onam festival when people apply rice flour batter on the entrance of their houses as a traditional welcome sign, take a shower and dress up in new clothes and also distribute alms to the poor and needy. This is the day King Mahabali visits each home and blesses every family in Kerala. The Pookalam is completed perfectly, and the families gather to feast

Biswakarma Puja

Vishwakarma Jayanti is an important observance and festival in Bengal, Odisha and other parts of Eastern India. It is dedicated to Biswakarma, the divine architect of the universe in Hinduism. It is held on Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha Chaturdasi in Bengal, Odisha and other parts of Eastern India. Vishwakarma Jayanti is observed in Magh month mainly in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It falls on Magh Shukla Paksha Trayodashi Tithi. Another popular Vishwakarma Puja is held after Diwali in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and certain parts of North

Each region in India has an independent culture of its own and most of these cultures are sometimes 5000 years old.  But USA, building Multi-traditional temples are trying to bring all these cultures to one source. People of different cultures visit these temples on different days of worship in small sectarian groups. But why can’t they come together and worship together the Devis described above and others explained before of universal appeal as our sages did in Vedic culture?

Each region has developed blind belief in its own way of interpreting the make attempt to give form to the Nirguna Parabrahman. Brahman cannot be defined they say but each Hindu defines Brahman (sachidanada vigrahaya namah) and enjoys the freedom to make an attempt to define Him. This   Freedom of Sanatana Dharma goes often hay wire in Hinduism and Temple Traditions are more focused on an individual’s dictate of Brahman and   playing to the gallery than spiritually leading! American Hindus have brought all these confusions from various lands not necessarily from Bharat alone,   and Hindu American Temples are more confused than even India. Puranas and beliefs make mother sister, daughter   wife,   son   brother, calf-love wife etc., all at the same time of creation for Hinduism nay Hindu confusion-ism where even Hindu is a confused term. To top it we have the calendar confusion that stands not corrected for several centuries. Hinduism says “Ask no question; follow the elders, follow the Purans; If you don’t you are an atheist. There are   two Hanuman Jayantis , two Varaha Jayantis (one in April and one after Ganesh Chaturti) and Krishna's Birth Days too. How can we worship together like ancient Sanatana Dharma sages? So traditional Vedantins live in their own world! Neo-Vedantins are trying to remove confusion but are fighting shy afraid of Religious Pundits!   Look at  the confusion of Vishwakarma Jayanti that is not being celebrated in the South except as as Ayudha Puja during Navaratri!

 I often wonder why Hindu Americans can’t decide on Naramukha Vinayaka as created by Parvati with her Icchaasakti and Kriyaasakti and worshiped in the most ancient Adivinayaka Naramukha Vinayaka Temple as a deity of Hlaadini Sakti in Tamil Nadu.  Champion of Saivism from Sangam Times and even earlier insist on  painful worship of Ekadanta and Iswaraputra! I believe our Classical Musicians have misguided us a lot here inspired by Mudgil Purana.

It is high time for some authority to guide us on the right path, without religious pundits and astrologers just telling 'tasmaat saastram pramaanam te kaaryaakaarya vyavasthithou',   without convincing about  the right sastra and auspicious  astronomical date and time of worship, with right understanding of the deity.   It is high time our Religious Pundits and Spiritual Gurus come together, sit together and think together to give a sense of   single and straight direction to practice Sanatana Dharma as our Rishis did in the past--Sangacchadhvam sam vadadhvam; Samaano mantrah samitih; Samaano vaa aakootih:

Compiled from the following discourses with additional information:

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2011/08/ganesha-worshiporigin-and-popularity.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2011/08/ganesha-janma-chaturthi.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2013/09/ganapati-moortivisarjanam-warm-send-off.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/09/gowritriteeya-swarna-gowri-vrata.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/05/which-deity-should-hindus-worship-on.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/09/mahaalaya-pitrupakshahindu-memorial-day.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2012/08/onam-festival-of-kerala-i-discourse-by-n.html
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/09/vaamana-trivikrama-dwarf-and-giant.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2011/08/ganesha-janma-chaturthi.html

http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2013/09/ganapati-moortivisarjanam-warm-send-off.html

 APPENDIX

DO YOU NEED DEVI STUTI FROM DEVI MAHATMYA OR MATA KI CHOWK BHAJAN?

  (E-Mail by N. R.Srinivasan to HR Forum Participants 9/25/2019)

Why Navratri is observed for nine nights

Navratri’s observance for nine night is based on the Devi Mahatmya scripture. As per Devi Mahatmya and Devi Bhagavatam, Goddess Durga fought for nine days and nine nights against Demon Mahishasura. This battle happened from Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada Tithi to Ashwin Krishna Paksha Navami Tithi – from the first day of the waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month to the ninth day of waxing phase of moon in Ashwin month.

During the course of the battle, Mother Goddess took several ferocious forms to annihilate innumerable powerful demons.

She annihilated all the demons and finally on the ninth night she killed Demon Mahishasura.

There is another belief that the nine days and nine nights of fighting happened during first nine days of Chaitra month. Bhagava Sri Rama invoked Goddess Durga for success in battle against Ravana in Ashwin month and then onwards the nine days began to be celebrated in Ashwin month. 

Mahur Renuka Devi Temple Navratri Festival

 

 Renuka Devi Temple at Mahur in Nanded in Maharashtra is one of the important temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The nine-day Navratri festival at Mahur Renuka Devi Temple attracts thousands of devotees. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Renuka Devi, mother of Lord Parashurama. 

At Mahur Temple, the Murti worshiped is the head of Goddess Renuka Devi. (Does anybody know Renuka as Goddss in Puranas of Vyasa?)

The nine-day Navaratri festival at the temple is famous for its unique rituals. Thousands of people arrive to celebrate Navratri at the abode of Renuka Devi.

But there are other mythological beliefs that prompt Navaratri worship. These are:

GARBA DANCE

Garbo is an indispensable aspect of the nine-day Navratri festival in Gujarat. The Garbo is an earthen pot which has holes around it and in it a lighted lamp is placed. Symbolically, Garba signifies knowledge. It is placed at the center of communal Navratri gathering, a village, lanes or streets and colorfully dressed women, men and children move around it singing and playing a folk dance called Garba.

The Garbha Deep has  symbolic interpretation. The vessel itself is a symbol of the body, within whom Divinity (in the form of the Goddess) resides. Garba is danced around this symbol to honor the fact that all humans have the Divine energy of Devi within them. 

The moving around the Garbo, indicates the never-ending cycle of creation. The movements of Garba explain the maintenance and destruction phases of supreme reality.

Navashakti Jyothi  of Vellore

These nine lamps are worshiped   as Navajyotis or Devis at the Jalakandeswrasr temple in Vellore Tamil Nadu.  The specialty of the lamp is that it never extinguishes and symbolizes the nine forms of Goddess Durga (also synonymous with Gauri) or (Parvati) are: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidhatri.

MATA KI CHOWKI

Mata ki Chowki is a story of a girl called Vaishnavi, an adopted child of Pandit Vidyasagar and his wife Shraddha. Shraddha found Vaishnavi lying orphaned outside a temple of Goddess Gauri. Pandit Vidyasagar never loved her and never accepted her as his daughter. When slowly he started liking her, events started taking a twisting turn and after two years, her mother, Shraddha, dies giving birth to Sunakshi. The blame of her mother's death came on Vaishnavi and she started to be hated even more by her father.

From the early age of six, Vaishnavi develops immense interest and faith in "Ma Vaishno Devi". She starts showing signs of being a super-normal child. She preaches about Mata, sings Jagratas, motivates people to follow Mata and rescues people from pain and misery. She is a true Mata devotee.

The story takes another twist when Sunakshi runs away with her lover at the time of her marriage with Vansh. And this ends up Vaishnavi marrying Vansh and throwing herself into an unfamiliar world. Out there in her new house, Vaishnavi is hated by all the family members including her husband Vansh, they all believe that she has come to grab their property.

Then comes the auspicious occasion of Sharad Gauri Navratri when Vaishnavi observes strict prayer rituals and fasts urging Mata to help her. Things change slowly and with Mata Gauri's divine grace, everyone in the family starts loving Vaishnavi as a devoted wife and a dear daughter when suddenly Vansh dies due to a black magic ritual conducted by Natasha, Vansh's ex-girlfriend. Again, Vaishnavi urges her dear Mata Rani to help her and observes Paush Shakambari Navratri Puja and brings Vansh back from the clutches of Yamaraj. Life once again becomes rosy for Vaishnavi.

During this time, Sheel Kumar realizes Vaishnavi's miraculous and undying faith in the Goddess and uses this as a tool to increase his popularity. Then in Chaitra Ram Navratri Vaishnavi is told by Mata that her family is going to land in a deep trouble. She tells this to Vansh but Sheel poisons his ears against Vaishnavi instead and Vansh throws her out of the house. Nowhere to go, Vaishnavi leaves for Jammu, her native place. Out here in Jammu, she brings Saunakshi back home and lives happy with her father occasionally remembering Vansh and her in-laws. Vaishnavi is then told by Mata that Sheel Kumar is a demonic being and to save herself and her family, she needs to kill him.

But alas, while trying to kill Sheel, Vaishnavi and Vansh are cunningly killed by the ruthless demon. But as fate would have it, Vaishnavi gives birth to a daughter and a prediction is made by Mata Gauri that Vaishnavi's daughter will kill the demon Sheel and save this world and her family on Navami during Sharad Navratri one day.

The show then focuses on how Vidyasagar saves her granddaughter now named Sakshi from the evil clutches of Sheel. Vidyasagar cuts all bonds of love and faith from Mata Rani as he believes that She didn't save her ardent devotee Vaishnavi while Sakshi keeps remembering Sheel, Vaishnavi and Mata Gauri in dreams. The story now takes a 10 years leap and Sakshi is now a young girl in her 20s.

Now with the wish of Mata, Sakshi becomes a devotee of Prabhu Sheel Maharaj, a cheater priest and as she learns the truth about him, she kills him as predicted 25 years back, on the Mahanavmi day with Mata's trishul and lives happily with her family and enjoys Mata Gauri's divine love and grace.

Now time passes by and Sakshi is wedded to Rudra Hari Narayan, a rich businessman's son and lives happily in her in-laws' house and gives birth to two daughters, Asha and Nisha.

Now, the golden days pass slowly and Sheel, after death meets Goddess Nirrti in hell and She gives him powers to return on the Earth to seek Her revenge from Mata Gauri. Now Sheel is back and immortal and he seriously injures Rudra and kills Mr. Hari Narayan and his son Vishnu Narayan. After this tragedy, Rudra is arrested by the police as Sheel cunningly puts all the blame of the murder of his father and elder brother on Rudra; and Sakshi moves on to stay at her bua's house with Asha and Nisha.

Now, the story takes a leap of 18 years and Asha and Nisha are young girls now but live in a miserable life with their mother as their bua, Manorama tortures the three badly and even tries to get Asha married off to a goon for money but Nisha acts cleverly and gets Manorama and her family proven as the real culprits and gets them arrested and also gets Rudra bailed out from the jail. The golden days come again for the Narayan Family and Asha is now maaried to Dr. Arjun, a college boy and Asha's lover. The divine love of Vashnavi Mata again nurtures Her daughter's family.

Now comes the Sharad Navratri Festival and the Narayan Family is all set to perform Mata Ki Chowki and Akhand Jyoti Navdurga Puja but Sheel tries all ways to stop the puja and Ghatsthapana, knowing that if Sakshi completes her 9 days puja and vrat, his end is sure. But with the divine blessings of Mata Gauri, Sakshi is able to complete the Navratri Puja till Ashtami successfully; however, on Navmi Day, Sheel makes his final move by kidnapping Vidyasagar, Asha and Nisha and threatens Sakshi that if she dared doing the Navmi Aarti of Gauri Mata, he will kill all the three dear ones of Sakshi; nevertheless, she performs Gauri Mata's aarti leaving everything on her dearest Mata Rani and Sheel kills the three, one by one as Sakshi sings 'Om Jai Parvati Mata' but as he is about to kill Sakshi, he realizes that it is not Sakshi but Mata Rani herself residing in Sakshi's heart and now Sakshi kills Sheel with Mata Gauri's divine 'Shakti' and Mata makes Vidyasagar, Asha and Nisha alive again as a reward for Sakshi's undying faith in Her and gives darshan to the entire family in Her Singhvahani Adi Shakti Swaarop on Vijaya Dashmi Day and the celebration of faith is witnessed in a colorful Panpankusha Ekadashi Navratri Udyapaan Utsav and Kanya Poojan being celebrated by the family and Vaishnavi and Vansh blessing their children along with Mata Rani at Vaishnodevi Bhawan, Jammu. The family lives happily ever after as Mata Gauri blesses them always from the Heavens above the Galaxies

I believe many of you do not have any idea as to the worship of the cut off head of Renuka but not the restored Mother,   Mother of Lord Parasurama and   the  Celebration of Mata ki Chowki. I therefore presented the same to you. Hindus love myths, magic, fun and frolic even in the midst of serious worship and meditation and more so Hindu Americans are deeply interested in it. They are not serious in Universal Oneness and Worshiping Devi as the Power (Sakti) aspect of Supreme Being!

How come Hindu Americans are more interested in this complicated mythological story full of myths moving away from their main focus on   Spiritual Power Aspects of Trinities Siva, Vishnu and Brama--Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati? I was therefore amused to see Sri Ganesha Temple in Nashville where I live, introducing this year Mata ki Chowki devotional Bhajans on the opening day of Navaratri to seek blessings and participate in Mata ki Chowki instead of Prayer and worship of Durga. I am not sure whether Agama based Hindu temples in India are interested in such Bhajans?

 

Last Sunday I sent you a very rare hymn on Goddess Devi by Lord Narayana taken from Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, Skandha 3, and Chapter 4. In this hymn Lord Narayana mentions that the basic vital force of the Trinity is Goddess Shakti.

You have the choice before you:  i)   To seek the blessing of  Goddess Devi with abundance in every Dharmic endeavor in our lives in the form of Durga/Lakshmi/Sarasvati and receive Devi Prasadam,  or,  ii) Participate in Mata ki Chowki Bhajans  with dinner,  fun and frolic! Choice is yours! iii)  Rivel in Garba Dance based on folk lores

 

Vaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta and Vaishnavi, is believed to be a

 

manifestation of the Hindu Goddess Mata Adi Shakti, also known as Goddess  

 

Mahalakshmi. The words "Maa" and "Mata" are commonly used in India for "mother", and 

 

thus are often heavily used in connection with Vaishno Devi.

I have not come across any reference to Vaishno Devi's story in any of Shakta scriptures, neither  Vaishnava or Shaiva ones.

Her shrine was possibly a local shrine that attracted due attention in time and became extremely famous. The irony is that it is celebrated as the top most temple of Goddess but the rituals followed looks very influenced by Vaishnavism.

That her tale shows her desire to marry Vishnu as Rama and killing Bhairava is itself quite amusing and contradictory to the character of Adyashakti as portrayed in scriptures.

Devi is strongly promoted  as Shiva's wife   by Saivites.  She only engulfs the Shivatva as Dhumavati. If she desires Rama, she has to be some form of Lakshmi, but we know how the popular pictures of Vaishno Devi portrays her. She is shown to be Durga or Bhavani. The name of Goddess itself shows that it is highly influenced by Vaishnavism. another story of Hindu Confusion-ism and Myths!

Are you happy to continue with your Kindergarten level of understanding Religion with myths, beliefs and stories with which   knowledge you migrated to this country and want your children to continue also with that level of understanding religion or are you serious to rise yourselves at least to Middle School level and start thinking of spiritually elevating yourselves?  Our modern spiritual Gurus have been constantly visiting us and trying to hasten our spiritual progress thinking we are a highly educated lot and fertile soil. I have been forwarding them peroiodically. Let them not go waste as cry in  the wilderness!  We need not only to elevate ourselves but also help others too to join us and progress along with us as Vedas command "Krinvanto viswamaaryam"!