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Navrati!!!

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
So how are you all guys celebrating your Navrati this year?

And what are your preparations for Diwali?
(I’m so excited for all the sweets lol.)

Comment as you like
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Nine days off from non-veg food and onions. We don't use garlic.
Of course, grown ups in the family keep fast on the first day and the eighth (except myself). Worship morning and evening. I join the others to bow to the Mother Goddess (I do it for culture). We will fete the nine girls on the ninth day, and then make a return to non-veg food. In between the family will visit 'Pandals', I will go if I am asked. I don't need to, Mother Goddess is with me all the time.
 

mangalavara

सो ऽहम्
Premium Member
So how are you all guys celebrating your Navrati this year?

Happy Śārada Navarātrī to all of you who celebrate it!

I am celebrating by worshipping Durgā on the first three nights, Laksmī on the second three nights, and Sarasvatī on the last three nights. On the 10th day of the paksa, I will do Āyudha Pūjā by worshipping Sarasvatī and new pens/pencils.

When it comes to worship, I’m just chanting the 108 names of the aforenamed aspects of Devī and meditating on their lotus feet. There is not much else to do here considering that I am the lone Hindu, and I’ve had a tiring week.

And what are your preparations for Diwali?
(I’m so excited for all the sweets lol.)

I don’t know yet. I’m going to order some diyas though.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
As with every other festival or event over the past 2 1/2 years ... nothing. Either the temple was closed due to covid, or it became too far when I moved, and now given the hours I work, or rather, crash from work. I get up at 3:30 am and get home almost 12 hours later. If I sit in the recliner or lie on the bed I'm out for the evening. I completely missed Janmashtami. I never really celebrated Navaratri except for a night or two at temple. I think it was last year for Diwali I set up a little table in the living room with pictures of Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakshmi, lit some lamps and candles all over the house, got depressed, and extinguished them. So if it weren't for my pathetic and rushed little before-work puja I might as well turn in my Hindu card. :(
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
As with every other festival or event over the past 2 1/2 years ... nothing. Either the temple was closed due to covid, or it became too far when I moved, and now given the hours I work, or rather, crash from work. I get up at 3:30 am and get home almost 12 hours later. If I sit in the recliner or lie on the bed I'm out for the evening. I completely missed Janmashtami. I never really celebrated Navaratri except for a night or two at temple. I think it was last year for Diwali I set up a little table in the living room with pictures of Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakshmi, lit some lamps and candles all over the house, got depressed, and extinguished them. So if it weren't for my pathetic and rushed little before-work puja I might as well turn in my Hindu card. :(
Aww don’t worry. Even a little puja is fine.
Maybe you can attend something virtually? Or just watch a fun movie
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Aww don’t worry. Even a little puja is fine.
Maybe you can attend something virtually? Or just watch a fun movie

I do spend a lot of time talking to Him. The temple was live streaming pujas for a while but I think they stopped completely now that they're pretty much back to business as usual. I say that because I follow their Facebook page and get all kinds of notifications but I haven't seen any. I'll have to investigate further.
 

Vinidra

Jai Mata Di!
I don't fast because I'm diabetic and don't quite have my blood sugar regulated to my liking yet.

But I do Durga puja every day, followed by Kali puja the first three nights, Lakshmi puja the next three, and Saraswati puja the last three. I am, unfortunately, not going to be at home for the last three days, the Saraswati days, because my mom is having hip replacement surgery on Oct. 4th, and I have to go down there to help her prepare and to be with her for the surgery. So I'll have to do puja to images on my computer instead of my murtis. I know the Mother will understand, but it's still a little disappointing for me.

Nevertheless, Happy Navaratri, everyone!
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Relax, Jai. Problems and pleasures are like seasons, they come and go. Wise people do not get disturbed by them.

Live navratri celebrations - Google Search

You are right … “this too shall pass” as they say. The important thing is to not be all-or-nothing, as I used to be. Y’know, “ … a leaf, a flower, fruit or water … “. :)
 

mangalavara

सो ऽहम्
Premium Member
So if it weren't for my pathetic and rushed little before-work puja I might as well turn in my Hindu card. :(

I myself ought to turn in my Hindu card because I don’t seem to do much every day for the five beings that I—and all of us—are indebted to. In reality, if I were to discard the mere label Hindu, I would still be counted as a Hindu because it is what I am. It is the same in your case. :)
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Yeah, you people will still think like a Hindu, because Hinduism has made a place for itself in your heart.
 

mangalavara

सो ऽहम्
Premium Member
I do Durga puja every day, followed by Kali puja the first three nights, Lakshmi puja the next three, and Saraswati puja the last three.

That makes two of us who are apparently influenced by how Navarātrī is observed in TN (Tamil Nadu… not Tennessee, as we all know :tongueout:).
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
As with every other festival or event over the past 2 1/2 years ... nothing. Either the temple was closed due to covid, or it became too far when I moved, and now given the hours I work, or rather, crash from work. I get up at 3:30 am and get home almost 12 hours later. If I sit in the recliner or lie on the bed I'm out for the evening. I completely missed Janmashtami. I never really celebrated Navaratri except for a night or two at temple. I think it was last year for Diwali I set up a little table in the living room with pictures of Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakshmi, lit some lamps and candles all over the house, got depressed, and extinguished them. So if it weren't for my pathetic and rushed little before-work puja I might as well turn in my Hindu card. :(

Maybe next lifetime, or during retirement. In the meantime, keep the water trickling. My Guru suggested the simple waving of a flame once a day was sufficient to keep the fire of dharma alive.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Maybe next lifetime, or during retirement. In the meantime, keep the water trickling. My Guru suggested the simple waving of a flame once a day was sufficient to keep the fire of dharma alive.

I agree, your guru is wise. You know me long enough to know I was ;) an all-or-nothing person. Now, even as rushed as I am in the morning ... up at 3:30, at work at 6:00. With my muscle and joint issues I need to warm up like a lizard before I can move I need so much time to get ready. :( So I go to the shrine room and do a small panchopachara puja. It takes about 10-12 minutes. If I can't even do that I light a lamp and incense stick, put a flower (I always have a vase of flowers) and maybe a banana with some prayers. While I was "fleshing out" the small puja I'd just go in the room, light a lamp, chant the śuklambaradharam prayer, om sarvebhyo devebhyo namaha to greet the deities, some prayers to Vishnu, apologize for such a half-baked attempt and bolt out the door. So yes, every little bit helps. The funny thing is, all day long, because Imove so much, I have to continually adjust my tulsi mālā around my neck. It tends to work its way out of my shirt colar. Touching it keeps me mindful.
 

ameyAtmA

~ ~
Premium Member
So how are you all guys celebrating your Navrati this year?

1. By dressing up my Little Kanhu (Little Krishna) like a girl. In a new DurgA Dress :)
He allowed me to dress Him up like that - dupatta, ghagra, necklaces, very very cute, but one day He was a bit assertive "I am not a girl"
OK, 5 days of Navaratri as a girl, and as Kanhu for the remaining 4 days

2. By being still -- I have figured this is the best way to worship Devi who is ShAntA , the Silent One / the embodiment of peace [ Silence of the innermost whorl of the PancharAtra Lotus i.e. Silence of ParamAtmA ]

For those whom stillness is not appealing, there is Shri Sukta, and Devi aartis and bhajans.
 
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