NAVARATRI-CELEBRATIONS
In Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas
From 23^rd March 2012 to 2^nd April 2012

The nicely decorated Altar for Durga Devi.

The Navaratri Celebrations are celebrated two times in a year in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, in spring and in autumn.

The Navaratri Festival is dedicated to the Divine Mother, celebrating the Victory of the Good, Noble and Divine over the evil forces.

The Navaratri Celebrations in spring season of this year, commenced on the auspicious day of the start of the new Hindu Year, on Friday, 23rd March 2012.

According to the North Indian Hindu Calendar, this new Year is called "Vishvavasu" and is ruled mainly by Shukra, the planet Venus.

The Priests of Omkarananda Ashram started the powerful and devoted Celebrations for Durga Devi in the morning of 23rd March 2012, in the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

A beautifully decorated Altar for Durga Devi had been installed there, and daily special Prayers, Pujas, Aratis and extra Hawanas were performed at this place, which continued up to the conclusion of the Navaratri Festival, on 2nd April 2012.

Yajnas performed by the Priests of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir along with Swami Vishveshwarananda.	Purnahuti by Swami Vishveshwarananda.

On 30th March 2012 evening, after Hawana and Purnahuti, Kumari Somashekhari gave a special Dance Performance in the Yajnashala of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir.

A lot of devotees from India and abroad had assembled there. Among them was also a group consisting of Yoga-students from Europe.

Somashekhari performed three dances, which were all dedicated to the Divine Mother. One among them was a Bharatanatyam Dance, "Simhasana-Sthite", which is a composition of the great South Indian Musician-Saint Muthuswami Dikshitar, describing the Greatness, immense Beauty and Power of the Divine Mother.

After Yajna Arati is performed by Kumari Somashekhari.

Dance performance by Kumari Somashekhari dedicated to the Divine Mother.

Bharatanatyam Dance "Simhasana-Sthite" by Kumari Somashekhari.

After Somashekhari had completed her devotional dances, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, gave a very heart-touching and inspiring speech, in which he beautifully explained the origin and purpose of sacred Temple-Dances.

Swami Vishveshwarananda highlights the importance of Navaratri and Temple-Dance.

Again on the next day, on 31st March 2012, Kumari Somashekhari performed different Temple-Dances, starting with the traditional Bharatanatyam Temple-Dance Item, "Ganesha Kautuvam". She danced in the Temple-Hall, in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

On 31.3.2012 Kumari Somashekhari starts her Temple-Dance Performance with Bharatanatyam "Ganesha Kautuvam".
The audience, who joined the prayers after the devotional dance performance.	Yogacharya Swami Sudhirananda is honouring Swami Vishveshwarananda and expresses his joy over the function.

After the devotional Dance-performances, again, like on the day before, Shri Swami Vishveshwaranandaji blessed all devotees, who had assembled in large numbers, with his inspiring words of Divine Wisdom.

Before leaving, all devotees could enjoy a special Temple Prasadam.

On 2nd April 2012, Vijaya Dashami, was the crowning conclusion of the Vasant Navaratri Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, with a grand Hawana, final Purnahuti, elaborate Pujas and then the eagerly awaited Kanya Puja, where 9 small cute girls, below the age of nine, were worshipped and given beautiful gifts.

Durga Devi with all the glitter and shine on the closing day of the great Navaratri.	Yajna by the Priests of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir with Swami Vishveshwarananda.
Powerful Purnahuti by Swamiji and the Priests.

Mukesh Panditji is offering Arati to Goddess Durga.

Kumari Somashekhari is blessing the nine Kanyas and offering them beautiful gifts.	A visibly happy child in another world.

Swami Vishveshwarananda offers Arati to the nine Kanyas.	Special Bhandara arranged for the divine kids.
Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari along with Priests, Parents and Guests behind the cute Kanyas.