Devotees across New England Celebrate Chaitra Navaratri with Baba’s Blessings
April, 2014, marked the celebration of Chaitra Navarathri at Shirdi Sai Temple in Chelmsford, MA. The devotees from all over New England and beyond came to the temple to be part of various festivities for 9 days and to seek baba’s blessings.
NESSP Shirdi Sai Temple located in Chelmsford, MA celebrated it’s Annual Chaitra Navaratri a Nine-Day long festival starting March 31st Tuesday April 8th.Rama Navami is one of the important Hindu Festivals, celebrating the birth of lord Rama to King Dasharatha and Kausalya.
This festival is the most celebrated in Shirdi since 1898 as the devotees regarded this auspicious day as the birthday of Lord Sai who alike Lord Rama, an incarnation. NESSP has been following this tradition of celebrating Ram Navami for several years now. The first day of navaratri “Chaitra Sudha Paadyami” is celebrated as Ugadi (Telugu New year) and Gudi Padwa(Marathi New year). Kalasha sthapana was done on this auspicious day to maintain the auspiciousness and energy throughout the nine days along with Maata’s idol decked beautifully with garments offered by the devotees and jewelry. “Ugadi pachadi” was made by the volunteers to serve to the devotees and later everybody gathered to listen to the “Panchanga Sravanam” (almanac) of the New Year read by Shri PVR garu.
Shri Bala Tripurasundari/Brahmacharini Pooja, Leaf Pooja to Lord Hanuman, Gayathri Pooja, Annapurna Devi Pooja and Skandamata pooja were performed by the priest on each day. On Friday April 4th, the devotees started reading the Akhanda Ramayana Path (Reading of the holy book of Ramayan) with lot of dedication and enthusiasm throughout the night and through Saturday April 4th night for 24hours and concluded.
On the day 9 “Rama Navami”, Shri Seetha Rama procession was done within the temple Followed by Sai Abhishek, the reading of holy book Shri Sai Satcharitra was conducted on April 6th where several devotees took part in reading each chapter. The day was concluded with Shri Sai Palkhi procession within the temple premises with huge pomp and splendor. All the devotees were dancing in Joy and Singing the glory of Sai.
With Baba’s divine blessings this year stands remarkable and most special as the temple got its own Utsava Vigrahas(small idols ) of Ram Parivaar with Shri Ram, Sita Maata, Lakshmana and Hanuman similar to how Ram Navami celebrations started off in Shirdi with Baba’s permission. The temple has given the devotees an opportunity to donate towards the purchase of the idols and welcome them to Sai Parivaar.
The celestial wedding of the ideal couple Sita and Rama (Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam) was performed on Saturday April 12th with complete ritual under the guidance of Priest Shri Srinivas Shastry and Priest Shri Nagendra Shastry.
Jaladhivass and Danyadhivaas were performed for the sanctification of the idols followed by Abhishek and Kala homam with chanting of vedic mantras to infuse divinity into the idols. Idols of Lord Rama and Sita were decked beautifully along with Lakshmana and Hanuman.
The mandap (Stage) was delightfully decorated with flowers, volunteers prepared sweets and the entire wedding ritual was an eye feast to all the devotees. Many people witnessed and took part in this auspicious celestial wedding of the ideal couple Sita and Rama.
Bhandara/Maha prasad was served on most of the days of the Navaratri. Nevertheless to say about the effort the volunteers including kids, put to gather in making the entire nine day event successful with the divine blessings of Baba.
NESSP has acquired a land for the permanent temple in Groton, MA. The permitting process is in full swing and we are targeting for a start of construction this year.
Gallery links:
https://picasaweb.google.com/108818823152960621467/SriSeetaRamaKalyanamCelebrations2014
https://picasaweb.google.com/108818823152960621467/UgadiChaitraNavaratriCelebrations2014
For more information please visit our website at www.nessp.org
290 Littleton Road, Unit #4, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Tel: (978) 528 1985 - Email: [email protected]
NESSP is a standalone nonprofit organization, 501C (3), Tax Exempt status from IRS (Tax ID-20-5288174) currently located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Hail Shri Sai…Always rest in our hearts and minds and mentor us towards the right path.
Press Release By: IndianClicks.com
