There hasn't been a post here on the Hinduism forum for some considerable time. So it behoves me to let everyone know that we are in the middle of a special festival called Navratri, or Nine Nights of the Goddess (actually ten nights but that's the way these festivals go.) This is celebrated all over India and Nepal, but in slightly different ways. I expect there is an old thread about it somewhere on this forum (I'll have a look in a minute; I do remember talking with Prashna about it and relaying my disappointment at the Kali puja I attended last year in North London.) This time around I found a temple not far from my home which is Tamil - the kind of temple I'm more familiar with - and I went to the first night puja on Saturday evening and was made most welcome. The festival mainly celebrates the victory of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, but over the course of the nine nights She is worshipped in all her many forms, particularly as Kali (the destroyer of ego), Laksmi (the goddess of wealth and abundance) and Saraswati (the goddess of learning.) Right at the end machinery and household equipment is blessed (that includes things like washing machines, fridges and computers!) and children place their school equipment on the altar so that too may be blessed. a nice simple link. And here's a beautiful image of Mahalaksmi - it's her time right now, so may we all welcome abundance into our hearts and our lives. The other pic is of a wall hanging that a friend gave me which depicts Durga killing the buffalo demon.
Jai Ma!
Hmmm.....
They are doing this for 9 days just next to my house, starting from 5.00 am - disturbing my sleep, anyhow many people Pray to the above Goddess in my country. I heard many of their Prayer/wish was answered.
It is a Sai Baba center - they have many followers - mostly Indian ( India )
During the Prayer they perform many types of Prayer techniques - most popular is the fire ceremony - Homa ( Oma )
master atan.
Hmmm.....
They are doing this for 9 days just next to my house, starting from 5.00 am - disturbing my sleep
If you're awake anyway, then why not go next door and join in? 🙂
anyhow many people Pray to the above Goddess in my country. I heard many of their Prayer/wish was answered.
It is a Sai Baba center - they have many followers - mostly Indian ( India )
This is in Malaysia, Atan? I lived there many years ago, beautiful country. It would be nice to have a Sai Baba centre just next door to where I live in Wales. We have mostly empty chapels and active devotion of whatever sort would be much more preferable. Navaratri is being celebrated in Skanda Vale, which isn't too far away from me, and I'll be going along there for a puja or two.
If you're awake anyway, then why not go next door and join in? 🙂
This is a good suggestion 🙂
This is in Malaysia, Atan? I lived there many years ago, beautiful country. It would be nice to have a Sai Baba centre just next door to where I live in Wales. We have mostly empty chapels and active devotion of whatever sort would be much more preferable. Navaratri is being celebrated in Skanda Vale, which isn't too far away from me, and I'll be going along there for a puja or two.
Yes - Malaysia.
We have many Sai Baba center here - and many Malaysian goes to India every year for Sai Baba personal Blessing/prayer.
Master atan.
"It's the holiest time of the year and we are being stopped from visiting our own temple. It's outrageous."
[url]Villagers in India have accused the Hollywood superstar, Julia Roberts, of interrupting one of their most important religious festivals.[/url]
I feel funny a single girl can interrupt such an important festival that is more than 3,000 years and is practice by millions of people around the world.
May be i am not good enough to understand the situation. :confused:
master atan.
I feel funny a single girl can interrupt such an important festival that is more than 3,000 years and is practice by millions of people around the world.
May be i am not good enough to understand the situation. :confused:
master atan.
I think you do understand the situation very well, Atan. It seems to be a case of materialism taking precedence over the sacred. If they had to film in a temple I don't see why they couldn't have demonstrated greater respect and filmed at a time that didn't disrupt the devotions.
I do agree, Barafundle. I'm also a little disappointed that a wonderful book (Eat Pray Love) is being turned into a Hollywood style movie, with such a big star. I loved the book and if it had to be filmed would have preferred it to star a complete unknown, possibly an actress who had experienced something of what the book portrays.
I think you do understand the situation very well, Atan. It seems to be a case of materialism taking precedence over the sacred. If they had to film in a temple I don't see why they couldn't have demonstrated greater respect and filmed at a time that didn't disrupt the devotions.
I prefer not to discuss this topic. 🙂
Good Luck.
master atan.
I prefer not to discuss this topic. 🙂
Good Luck.
master atan.
No problem, Atan. No need to discuss anything you don't want to. But Barafundle was only making a comment.
Good Luck.
master atan.
Good luck to you too, Master Atan. 🙂
Happy Navaratri.