Murti Sthapana Mahotsavam Brings Divinity

Sunday marked our grand Murti Sthapana Mahotsavam at the Durga Temple of Westchster. We welcomed Bala Ji, Hanuman Ji, Durga Maata, Ganesh Ji and Shani Devi Ji to make their home in our community temple.

What is Murti Sthapana?
It is a ritual invoking God in a murti by performing Vedic rites and chanting mantras as prescribed by the Shastras. Murti Sthapana is a celebration often coupled with a cultural procession, and Vishwashanti Maha Yagna, or prayer for world peace. After a Murti Sthapana, divinity enters murti and it is a lifetime opportunity to be a part of this pooja. The murti is not simply an image but rather a living form of God.

Volunteers hard at work to setup for the grand event!

The Sankalpa – Devotees made a one-pointed resolve to focus both psychologically and philosophically on a specific goal

The required rituals were a Vedic Havan, the Murti Sthapana followed by Bhajans to celebrate the successful consecration of our divine Murtis

All devotees were blessed during the Aarti

Please join us for our Krishna Janamashtami celebration on August 23rd!

9th Day of Chaitra Navratri 2019: Navami

Yesterday was the ninth and last day of Chaitra Navratri 2019. Durga devotees worshiped her ninth form, Siddhidatri who appeared from the left half of Lord Shiva. She removes ignorance from her devotees and governs Ketu. After Shiddhidatri Puja, devotees conducted Chaitra Navratri Parana when Navami Tithi was over and Dashami Tithi prevailed. Parana means breaking of the nine-day long fast.

Navami was an important day of the nine-day festival as it also marked the birth anniversary of Lord Rama known as Rama Navami

At the Durga Temple:

We completed our 9 days of Ramayan Paath and celebrated Ram Navami

Happy Chaitra Navratri 2019 and Ram Navami!

8th Day of Chaitra Navratri 2019: Ashtami

The eighth day of Chaitra Navratri 2019 fell on April 13th, Saturday. A number of rituals were observed on this day starting with Mahagauri Puja. Devi Mahagauri is eighth form of Goddess Durga. She is the epitome of purity and achievements, provides knowledge, removes all sins and mistakes of a person. Mahagauri governs Rahu.

At the Durga Temple:

Yesterday was a day filled with celebrations! We celebrated Durga Aashtami and carried out Kanjak Pooja with our young Kanjaks and boys as well.

Photo and video credits: Suresh Rajporohit , Shiva Shankar

We also carried out our 8th day of Ramayan Paath yesterday! Today is Ram Navami

Don’t forget to join us for Ram Navami today:
Sunday, April 14 from 11am-1pm.

Be sure to join us in person and tune-in online via our facebook page throughout this Chaitra Navratri festival!