Navarathri Puja at Sanskrit College
Navarathri is celebrated twice in a year. The first Navarathri is celebrated in spring, culminates in Rama Navami and is called Vasantha Navarathri. The second one is celebrated in autumn, culminates in Saraswathi Puja and Vijayadasami and is called Sharath Navarathri. Both Navarathris are celebrated grandly at the mutt.
Navarathri puja started in Chennai on October 1st, 1932. From the start of Navarathri, Swamigal would maintain Mouna vratha (Vow of Silence) for nine days and would break the silence on the tenth day. In those days, pujas were conducted in both mornings as well as evenings. Scores of devotees would gather to have darshan of Swamigal as well as see the special pujas. They would make their offerings for the puja based on their own capacity.
Women are given a special status on these days when they are considered embodiments of Devi and are given auspicious gifts such as turmeric, kumkum, flowers etc. Food is served to women before it is given to anybody else. Everyday, Kanya puja is done to young girls between two and ten years of age. Devotees would wait for hours to witness the Kanya puja. Scholars and Vidwans would chant Devi Bhagavatham, Ramayanam, Geetha, and Brahma Sutra Bhashyam. Sri Vidya Homam and Chandi Homam would be conducted in the premises of the mutt. The citizens of Chennai had never before witnessed such a sight and gathered in thousands to partake in the Navarathri celebrations held at Sanskrit College. Mylapore had the appearance of a huge festival which ended with Saraswathi Puja. Swamigal broke his silence the next day on Vijayadasami.
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