Pujya Gurudev’s Blessings and Mother Rajarajeshwari's Grace enabled us to do ‘Shakti Upaasanaa'
in the beautiful serene atmosphere of Chinmaya Prerana, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai from 13th to 22nd
October 2015, guided by Br. Ved Chaitanyaji (Acharya, Chinmaya Mission Navi Mumbai).
Navaratri began with 'Ghata-sthapana' on 13th. Every morning we had Puja of Maha Ganapati,
Panchayatana Devata & different forms of Mother. It was a lifetime experience to witness the
Maha Saraswati, Shree Mahalakshmi, MahaDurga & Shree Lalitatripurasundari Shodashopchar
Puja, in the morning, afternoon, evening & night, performed so lovingly by Pujari Suraj ji.
Morning’s parayana of 'Shree Durga Saptashati' was followed by Vedji’s discourse on the Narada
Bhakti Sutra. He explained the essence of this text and with each aphorism hooked us on to this
haloed path of devotion. What were the qualities of a true devotee, what were to be followed and
what cautiously avoided, what were the divine traits of the holy sages… all this and more was
covered. The Sutras though in Sanskrit were brought home to us because of Vedji’s knack in
making the words of the scriptures seem so easy to understand. No one could leave without
wishing to imbibe these noble values entwined in the 84 Sutras.
We also recited Shree Lalita Sahsranaama stotram at 4:30pm. The beautiful form of the Goddess
charmed every devotee’s heart and we would be forgiven if we forgot to chant or pray when blessed
with such a divine sight, day after day.
Every evening we had different cultural programs. Devotees pined to witness the Prasanna Puja
followed by Rajopachaara. At 9.30pm Mother was taken for "Shayanagriha" amidst shankha & bell
and melodious Lullaby “Jo Jo...”. The day was over for devotees; yet the volunteers, Br. Vedji &
Purohit Suraj ji would patiently change Mother's Shringar for the next day.
On 21st October 2015, we performed Shree Sookta Havan in a huge Kund. At 6.30pm, Utsavmurti
was taken for Nagar Parikrama. What a sight it was! Rows of ladies with diyas, men holding Raj-
danda & flags & devotees dancing with zest on drumbeats!!
On Dassera morning (6th Anniversary of the consecration of Shri Mahalakshmi), Utthaapana of
ghata was done. While the Divine Ceremony of Abhisheka with Nine Dravyas was being
performed, the devotees at the temple reflected yet again at their good fortune in being able to
celebrate Dassera in the abode of Goddess Mahalaxmi. Finally, the Vidyarambha Puja was
performed on 23rd October 2015 at 8am.