KATHMANDU — The Art of Living, Kathmandu will be celebrating Navratri from 26th-28th September 2017 at The Art of Living Yoga Park in Shankhamul, Kathmandu. Hundreds of people are expected to be a part of the celebrations conducted according to Vedic traditions.
Art of Living founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Navratri is a festival for one to take the mind back to its Source.” It’s time for the spiritual seeker to get back to the true source through fasting, silence, prayer and meditation. While fasting detoxifies the body, silence purifies the speech and brings rest to the chattering mind, prayer and meditation takes one deep into one’s own being.
The three days of the Navratri will be marked by a series of homas to nullify all the misery, sorrow and pain, provide solace and bring peace to the world. Homas are powerful ancient fire rituals that have been performed by the sages for over 5000 years. Homas are also meant to protect the environment, by instilling honour and reverence for Mother Earth.
Scientifically, homas have been proven to purify the atmosphere and cast a healing effect on the body & mind. The herbs used in the homas emanate benign elements that reduce toxins, pollutants, foul smell and other harmful micro-organisms from the atmosphere. These create an environment congenial not just for human beings but for all life forms.
Sri Maha Ganapathi Homa, Sri Navagraha Homa and Sri Vasthu Shanti Homa will be performed on Tuesday, September 26. Ganpati Homa is performed to remove obstacles before initiating any new venture. Navgraha Homa, to propitiate and nullify the negative impact of the Nav Grahas (the nine planets), is performed subsequently. It is scientifically accepted that the directions possess the powers to affect our day-to-day life. So a puja is offered to the Vaastu Brahma by performing the Vaastu Shanti Homa, to subside the negative impact on the surroundings.
Saptami day on Wednesday, September 27 begins with Sri Maha Rudra Homa. The Homa is considered as a great purifier and a remedy for all negative energy. This is followed by Sri Maha Sudarshana Homa. The Homa is offered to Lord Narayana for the removal of ignorance and the beginning of a new life enriched with knowledge.
The high point of the celebrations will be the grand Shatha Chandi Homa on Thursday, Sept 28, the Ashtami day. Shatha Chandi Homa, the pinnacle of all homas of Navaratri, is performed to remove any obstacles or blocks to growth – both in the internal as well as external worlds, and bring peace, prosperity, success and strength to the entire mankind. By performing the Shatha Chandi Homa, the sufferings that are caused by hostile elements are eradicated.
Every day the homas will begin around 7 am. The celebrations are open to the public. Attendees can take sankalpa during the homas. For details, please contact: +977 – 9841704999/9849123318
