Navaratri (The Nine Nights of Devi) and Vijayadashami Observance with Swamini

Navaratri, or the nine nights of Devi, will be observed at MA Center Chicago Monday, Sept. 22nd through Wednesday, Oct. 1st with Swamini Ambikamrita Prana. The word Navaratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. Navaratri is a time of sadhana, of conquering our inner negativities to gain greater will power and self-control, of awakening the right knowledge from within.

Vijayadasami, 'the tenth day of victory', marks the successful completion of this occasion. During these nine nights and ten days, three days each are devoted to honoring or celebrating the different aspects of the divine mother, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Vijayadashami day, (the tenth day, Wednesday, Oct. 1st) is traditionally an auspicious time for starting new ventures. Here's the schedule:

Durga - Monday, Sept. 22 through Wednedsay, Sept. 24, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
              
Lakshmi - Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26, from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm

Amma's Navaratri Birthday Satsang Sept 27th

4:00-5:00 pm – Archana
5:00-7:00 pm - Satsang talk by Swamini, devotional chanting, bhajans, arati, and prasad
7:00 pm: Dinner (available for a modest donation)

Saraswati - Sunday, Sept. 28 through Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm       
On Tuesday, Sept. 30th, you may bring a tool (eyeglasses, paintbrushes, a pen, a camera, etc), or a musical instrument you are studying, or a book you wish to gain wisdom from and place it on the altar to invoke the blessings of Saraswati (please wrap in paper and write your name on the outside).

Vijayadashami - Wednesday, Oct. 1: at 8:30 am, with AYUDH puja

Vijaya Dashami means victory on the 10th day. On this day, we celebrate the victory of good over evil and of one's higher nature over one's mundane indriyas (senses). Vijayadasami is known also as Dussehra or Dasara and marks the culmination of the nine-nights-long festival of Navaratri. The root sentiment of Vijaya Dashmi is victory; of good over evil and of self over one's mundane indriyas (senses). The scriptures advise us to attain victory over the mind. One who has not conquered the mind has not conquered anything at all. There will be a special puja in the morning and the tools blessed at the altar can be retrieved.

Questions? Email macenterchicago@ammagroups.org