Navaratri - The Traditional 9 day Devi Worship is celebrated with splendour and gaiety in Mysore Ashram generally during the month of October according to Vedic Calendar.The Ashrama wears a festive look with elaborate decorations and the enthusiasm of devotees from all over India and abroad.
Sri Swamiji worships Goddess Sri Rajarajeshwari during Navaratri by invoking her in Kalashas(Sacred Pots) placed in and around the Pooja Mantapa (Altar).
9 Kalashas are placed around the altar while two pots are placed inside the Mantapa and Sri Swmaiji performs a unique puja to Rajarajeshwari and this is called Nava-Avarana puja. This Nava-Avarana puja is performed everyday for 9 days during Navaratri. Sri Swamiji follows all methods starting from Markandeya Purana.So its believed that "Everything is there in the puja".
The Devi Navaratri Puja commenses with Sri Swamiji wearing a silk sari arrives at the Datta Temple and offered prayers there. From there the morning procession with Sri Swamiji and the palanquin carrying the idol of Raja Rajeswari made of Pancha Loha (an alloy of five metals) goes around the Prayer hall. The procession is led by Nada Swara Band (traditional Mysore Pipers), torch bearers, flag bearers, Poorna Kumbha bearer, Rudraksha Kireeta bearer and the students of Ashrama Veda school chanting Vedic hymns to the Nada Mantapa.
During Navaratri, Swamiji first performs Kumari Puja to sixteen female children aged 1 to 16 years. Swamiji's attire will be in correlation with the color of the form of Mother Goddess to be worshipped on that day. After Kumari Pooja, Swamiji approaches the main Pooja altar. Different energies are invoked into each of these pots. The deities are invoked and seen off every day. Along with Mother Goddess, other deities such as Arka Ganapati, Sphatika (crystal) Dattatreya, Narasimha Saligrama, Anantapadmanabha Saligrama and Lakshminarasimha Saligrama are also worshipped.
There are two Golden pots in the front. First they are installed. There is an Emerald Srichakra. On top of the Marakata Prastara is the Ruby Sumeru. It is very unique. When water is poured on it, different colours emanate from it. In front of this is a Golden Srichakra. Mother Goddess will be offered different necklaces made from various gems on each day. Special worships such as Mangayarchana, Kunkumarchana (worshipping with Kunkum), Sugandharchana (worshipping with fragrant substances), Padmarchana (worshipping with lotuses) etc., are also performed.
Next is Naivedya (food offering). There are nine different Naivedyas for 9 days. After this comes Panchamrita Abhisheka. Then comes Homa performed using Beejaksharas (seed letters). This is called as Agni Pooja also. It includes worship of five elements, the twelve astrological signs and the nine planets... ......Contd.....