The Navaratri and Dusshera celebrations at Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam were observed with devotion and a deep sense of auspiciousness. Over ten days, devotees came together to worship Sri Vaatsalyaambika Devi, Sri Chandika Devi, and the Srichakra Lingam, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and the grace of the Divine Mother in every form.
Golu Display: Steps of Tradition and Story
The festival began with the Golu display in the Sadashivam Hall. Rows of steps were arranged with dolls and idols representing gods, saints, and scenes from sacred stories. The display, put together by everyone at Vaatsalyam, was an expression of love and creativity. Children and villagers gathered each evening to admire the dolls and reminisced the stories of devotion they portrayed.
Morning Rituals: Daily Abhishekam and Alankaram
Each morning began with the divine abhishekam of Sri Vaatsalyaambika Devi in the temple. The rituals were conducted with love and reverence, accompanied by the chanting of Vedam and the Mahishasura Mardini Stotram. The Abhishekam included offerings of milk, curd, ghee, honey, tender coconut, and turmeric water.
After the Abhishekam, the Alankaram was done with special saree drapes for each day of Navaratri. Devi was adorned in traditional styles — as Kanyakumari, as a Kshatriya, the Gujarati, Bengali, Coorgi, Kerala Kasavu, and Madisaru drapes as well as Madurai Meenakshi—each carrying its own symbolism and beauty. Devotees gathered to glimpse the Mother in her new form each morning, offering flowers and prayers.
Evening Rituals: Maha Abhishekam and Archana
In the evenings, the Maha Abhishekam of the utsva murthys of Sri Vaatsalyaambika Devi, Sri Chandika Devi, and the Srichakra Lingam took place in the Sadashivam Hall. Families participated in the offering of milk, curd, ghee, honey, fruits, and fragrant waters. The chanting of Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam and Lalitha Ashtottara Shatanamavali filled the hall as Kumkuma Archana was performed.
The deities were then beautifully adorned with ornaments and fresh flowers; their mere sight creating an atmosphere of calm and reverence. The rituals concluded with Maha Mangala Aarti and the distribution of prasadam.
Eighth Day: Gana Homa and Chandi Parayana
The eighth day marked the beginning of the special fire rituals. In the morning, the Gana Homa was performed by the priests, invoking auspiciousness for the festivities. Offerings of ghee and grains were made into the sacred fire as Vedic chants echoed through the space. The gentle crackle of the flames blended with the rhythmic recitation of mantras and bhajans, creating a serene, sacred atmosphere.
In the evening, the Chandi Parayana was conducted, with priests chanting verses from the Durga Saptashati. The Thavil–Nadaswaram troupe played through the evening, and their music added rhythm and delight to the collective chanting.
Ninth Day: Chandi Homa, Lakshmi Narasimha Hrudaya Parayana, and Durga Pooja
The ninth day of Navaratri began with the Chandi Homa. The sacred fire was lit early in the morning, and offerings of ghee, grains, and flowers were made to the Goddess. The chants from the Devi Mahatmyam reverberated in the air as the priests performed the Poornahuti, marking the culmination of the homa.
As part of the celebration, Suhasini and Kanya Puja were performed with deep devotion, honouring the divine feminine in the young and the old. Kumkum and flowers were offered, and they were gifted clothes and sweets—symbolising reverence to the feminine energy that nurtures, protects, and sustains the world.
In the evening, the Lakshmi Narasimha Hrudaya Parayana and Durga Pooja were conducted. The floor was decorated with colourful mandalas and deepas, and devotees participated in the prayers with devotion. The atmosphere was charged with spiritual energy as the aarti flame was offered to Devi, symbolising the light of knowledge and the victory of truth.
Vijayadashami: Honouring Service and Grace
The final day, Vijayadashami, began with the Ayudha Puja, in which the vehicles of service of the Sri Sathya Sai Premaarpitham Foundation were worshipped. The Sri Sathya Sai Kshema Dayini ambulances, the Foundation’s bus, and other vehicles used in seva activities were decorated with flowers and offered prayers. The puja represents gratitude for the means through which service reaches others.
This was followed by the Maha Kalasha Abhishekam. The Utsava Murthys were brought to the sanctum and anointed with the sacred waters from the Kalashas, along with milk, curd, honey, and sandalwood paste. The ritual marked the completion of the Navaratri worship and was performed amidst chants, the sound of bells, and the conch shell.
Conclusion: The Celebration of the Feminine Divine
The Navaratri and Vijayadashami celebrations at Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam served as a poignant reminder of the divine feminine power that sustains and guides the universe. The worship of the three aspects of the Devi—Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Durga—symbolised the balance one must hold in life: to keep knowledge and wisdom as true power through Saraswati, to hold wealth and prosperity with humility through Lakshmi, and to finally bow in reverence to Shakti, the strength and courage embodied by Durga.
As the lamps burned bright on the final morning, the message of the festival remained clear—true victory lies in the awakening of the inner Devi, the source of wisdom, abundance, and strength within each being.
