DURGA MOORTHI PRATISHTA
(INSTALLATION) AT THE VEDIC TEMPLE
Los Angeles, Nov. 18, 2008
By Dilip Butani
Hundreds gathered this Sunday to welcome Durga Devi
as she joined a host of other deities at the Vedic Temple in Montclair.
The beautiful marble moorthi found her place between the Radha
Krishna moorthies and Ram Parivar Moorthies. The moorthi pratishta
(installation) ceremony was performed by Sri Nithya Bhkatpriyananda
Maharaj – the Pujacharya of the Vedic temple.
As people walked in to the temple they were greeted
by the beautiful sight of a fully decorated Durga Devi sitting
on the Simha (Lion) Vahana. Adorned in red and decorated with
the finest jewellery, with a golden hue around her, she immediately
captured everyone’s attention.
The celebrations began with the Pujacharya explaining
the significance of the event. “We are playing with all
the material things just like a kid playing with different toys.
Just like a mother brings a candy to attract the attention of
her kid, so to Durga Maa comes bringing the candy of bliss to
get our attention”. The pratishta started with a Homa –
fire ritual to invoke the cosmic mother energy. The energy is
brought from the space to the air through the sacred chants, from
air to fire through the Homa and fire to the water in the kalasas
or pots.This water is then sprinkled on the deity to energize
the deity.
The whole temple was reverberating with sacred
chants as the gathering joined with the Maharaj as he was performing
the Homa. They were continuously regaled with different stories
and inspiring anecdotes by the Pujacharya. Following the energization
and pratishta of Durga maa, the devotees carried the kalashas
to perform the weekly abhishekam for Anandeshwari Devi.
Following the Abhishekam there was a special Sri
Yantra Puja performed on this auspicious occasion. Participating
devotees performed the puja to the yantra as they were guided
by the pujacharya. The devotees then take these energized yantras
to be placed on their personal alters.
The celebrations culminated with the offering of
Maha Prasad to all the devotees.
The temple is planning a bhajans night with Saul David Raye along
with a special Lakshmi Puja on Sunday November 23. Everyone is
welcome.
The Vedic Temple is an inner science laboratory
charged with amazing spiritual energy, helping people live creative,
successful and blissful lives. It is a gift from the divine vision
of Paramahamsa Nithyananda. The Vedic Temple is open every day
from 7 am to 10 pm. For more information about events, classes
or to volunteer, please visit their website at www.NithyanandaVedicTemple.org
or call them at (909) 625-1400.
