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MA Center Chicago (MACC)

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

Sep 22, 2025 6:00pm to Oct 1, 2025 11:00am (ended)

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

Monday

Nov

A Multi-Day Event

AYUDH Food & Supply Drive

This year's AYUDH food and supply drive is underway! Please drop off nonperishable donations in the satsang hall for delivery to the local Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Mission of Our Lady of the Angels (in downtown Chicago) in time for the holidays. Please check expiration dates on each item... more ›

Sunday

Dec

6:00am - 8:30am

Silent Sunday Morning Meditation and Archana

"The silence that we acquire through prayer and meditation helps us find peace and true happiness in this noisy world." ~Amma Join us for a Silent Sunday Morning (with Swamini Ambikamrita Prana when she is here), starting with archana in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall at 6am, followed by... more ›

Sunday

Dec

8:00am - 2:00pm

Mother's Kitchen

Inspired by Amma's teachings, Mother’s Kitchen groups in North America prepare, cook and serve 150,000 meals for the homeless and hungry each year. At MA Center Chicago, on the first Sunday of every month, we prepare food in the MACC kitchen starting at 8AM and then serve it at a local shelter. If... more ›

Tuesday

Dec

8:00am - 9:00am

Tuesday Morning Amrita Yoga Class

Location: South Lodge Community Room at MA Center Chicago Join us Tuesday mornings for an open yoga class with simple, gentle Amrita Yoga postures/asanas. No prior experience or training in Amrita Yoga is necessary. "The purpose of Yoga is for our inner well-being. It does not belong to any... more ›

Tuesday

Dec

10:00am - 11:00am

Chair Yoga Class

The purpose of Yoga is for our inner well-being. It does not belong to any particular faith or religion. It was passed on to us by the ancient seers for the well-being of humanity. Yoga helps us reconnect with nature and eventually become one with God. - Amma Please join us for gentle chair yoga... more ›

Saturday

Dec

2:30pm - 4:00pm

Amrita Bhajan Class

Amma says, "Bhajans are prayers in the form of songs, rich in meaning and full of devotional content." The MACC Bhajan Class meets virtually on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 2:30 to 3:45 pm. This class is offered for those who wish to learn bhajans and study devotional songs and... more ›

Saturday

Dec

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Guided IAM-35 Meditation Session

"A river that flows through many branches will not have a powerful current. If the branches are redirected and the river is redirected to flow only through the main stream, the force of the current will increase greatly. It may even be possible to generate electricity from such a strong current.... more ›

Saturday

Dec

3:00pm - 4:30pm

Amrita Bala Kendra (ABK)

Amrita Bala Kendra (ABK) passes on Amma’s teachings to children through fun and engaging activities such as stories, bhajans, arts and crafts, celebration of festivals and service projects. ABK focuses on values, multi cultural traditions, and spiritual practices. ABK is held in-person in the MA... more ›

Saturday

Dec

4:00pm - 7:30pm

Saturday Satsang at MA Center Chicago

Amma says, "Satsang has the power to turn our minds towards good thoughts. Children, don't waste any opportunity to participate in satsang." Join us Saturdays in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall for a community satsang, which starts with group archana at 4pm, and is typically followed by bhajans... more ›

Sunday

Dec

6:00am - 8:30am

Silent Sunday Morning Meditation and Archana

All are welcome to join the ashram residents for daily spiritual practices in the satsang hall:

WHITE FLOWER MEDITATION

Sunday through Friday at 5:50 pm (starts with 10-minute silent Ma Om meditation)

Amma requests everyone to regularly practice this meditation once or twice a day for the benefit of the entire world. Join us live or via Zoom: https://bit.ly/maccmed

Meeting ID: 828 7832 9402

Passcode: 092753

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,82878329402#,,,,*092753# US
+13126266799,,82878329402#,,,,*092753# US (Chicago)

EVENING BHAJANS

Sunday-Friday at 6:30 pm (in-person only)

Guru Stotram chanting
Bhajans (devotional singing)
Closing prayers and arati

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

WHITE FLOWER MEDITATION

EVENING BHAJANS

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