Calendar
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SARVA PITRU SHRADH (MAHALAYA) SARVA PITRU SHRADH (MAHALAYA) Oct 1 all-day The last day of ‘Pitru Paksha’ is known as ‘Sarvapitri Amavasya’. It is also known as ‘Pitru Amavasya’ or simply ‘Mahalaya’. It is the most significant day of ‘Pitru Paksha’. | NAVARATRI BEGINS NAVARATRI BEGINS Oct 3 all-day Navratri is a nine days festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is worshipped in 9 different forms, known as Navdurga. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami when idols of Goddess Durga... | MATA DEVI KI CHOWKI 6:00 pm MATA DEVI KI CHOWKI Oct 4 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Mata Devi Chowki 5.00pm – 6.00pm : Chowki Puja 6.00pm – 10.00pm : Mata Chowki Bhajan and Prasad | ||||
Sunday Bhajan and Satsang 11:30 am Sunday Bhajan and Satsang Oct 6 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Every Sunday, we have SATSANG (Bhajans, kirtans, Kathas etc.) From 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM followed by Aarti and Prasadam (Lunch) | DURGASHTAMI 6:00 pm DURGASHTAMI Oct 10 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja. Young unmarried girls, being treated as Goddess Durga itself, are also worshipped on Maha Ashtami. Worshipping of young... | MAHA NAVAMI NAVARATRI SAMUHIK CHOWKI 5:30 pm NAVARATRI SAMUHIK CHOWKI @ Shree Radhey Shyam Temple Oct 11 @ 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm Navaratri Devi Chowki is a special devotional event held during the Navaratri festival, which is dedicated to worshiping the nine forms of the goddess Durga. During this event, devotees gather... | DUSSEHRA – RAVAN DAHAN 5:30 pm DUSSEHRA – RAVAN DAHAN Oct 12 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm Vijayadashami is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana and also triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura. Vijayadashami is also known as Dussehra or Dasara. In Nepal Dasara is celebrated as Dashain. | |||
Sunday Bhajan and Satsang 11:30 am Sunday Bhajan and Satsang Oct 13 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Every Sunday, we have SATSANG (Bhajans, kirtans, Kathas etc.) From 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM followed by Aarti and Prasadam (Lunch) | DURGA MATA KI CHOWKI 5:00 pm DURGA MATA KI CHOWKI Oct 19 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm If you would like to host the Mata Ki Chowki at Shree Radhey Shyam Temple, Contact : Raja Sharma 708-822-6656 Maa Durga is revered as the Mother Goddess among the Hindu... | |||||
KARWA CHAUTH KARWA CHAUTH Oct 20 all-day Karwa Chauth coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi a fasting day observed for Lord Ganesha. The fasting of Karwa Chauth and its rituals are observed by married women for the long life of their husband.... Sunday Bhajan and Satsang 11:30 am Sunday Bhajan and Satsang Oct 20 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Every Sunday, we have SATSANG (Bhajans, kirtans, Kathas etc.) From 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM followed by Aarti and Prasadam (Lunch) | ||||||
Sunday Bhajan and Satsang 11:30 am Sunday Bhajan and Satsang Oct 27 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Every Sunday, we have SATSANG (Bhajans, kirtans, Kathas etc.) From 11:30 AM – 01:00 PM followed by Aarti and Prasadam (Lunch) | Dhanteras – Diwali day 1 Dhanteras – Diwali day 1 Oct 29 all-day Dhantrayodashi which is also known as Dhanteras is the first day of five days long Diwali festivities. On the day of Dhantrayodashi, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the... | DIWALI ( LAKSHMI POOJA) DIWALI ( LAKSHMI POOJA) Oct 31 all-day The third day of Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Diwali This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus cleanse themselves and join with their families and their... |
All nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during Maha Ashtami Puja.
Young unmarried girls, being treated as Goddess Durga itself, are also worshipped on Maha Ashtami. Worshipping of young girls during Durga Puja is known as Kumari Puja. In many regions Kumari Puja is done during all nine days of Durga Navratri. Kumari Puja on a single day during Durga Puja is preferred on Maha Ashtami.
Navaratri Devi Chowki is a special devotional event held during the Navaratri festival, which is dedicated to worshiping the nine forms of the goddess Durga. During this event, devotees gather to sing bhajans (devotional songs), perform aarti (ritual of worship with light), and offer prayers to the goddess. It’s a time of great spiritual significance and celebration.
The nine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navadurga, are worshipped during the Navaratri festival. Each form represents a different aspect of the goddess and has unique attributes and significance:
- Shailaputri: Known as the “Daughter of the Mountain,” she is the embodiment of the collective power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. She rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus.
- Brahmacharini: This form represents penance and austerity. She holds a rosary and a water utensil, symbolizing devotion and wisdom.
- Chandraghanta: Known for her bravery, she has a golden complexion and rides a tiger. She has ten hands, each holding a weapon, and a crescent moon on her forehead.
- Kushmanda: She is believed to be the creator of the universe, bringing light to the dark cosmos. She rides a lion and has eight or ten hands holding various weapons and holy objects.
- Skandamata: The mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), she represents motherhood and nurturing. She rides a lion and holds her son in her lap.
- Katyayani: Born to the sage Katyayana, she is a warrior goddess who rides a lion and has four hands, each holding a weapon.
- Kalaratri: Known as the dark and fierce form of Durga, she destroys ignorance and removes darkness. She rides a donkey and has a dark complexion.
- Mahagauri: Representing purity and serenity, she has a fair complexion and rides a bull. She is often depicted in white clothes.
- Siddhidatri: The goddess of supernatural powers and healing, she sits on a lotus and has four hands. She grants wisdom and insight12.
Each of these forms is celebrated on a different day of Navaratri, with specific rituals and prayers dedicated to them
If you would like to host the Mata Ki Chowki at Shree Radhey Shyam Temple, Contact : Raja Sharma 708-822-6656
Maa Durga is revered as the Mother Goddess among the Hindu Goddesses. Mata Ki Chowki is a short-duration Kirtan that can be done at any time of day, at any time of year. The essence behind performing the Mata Ki Chowki is to fulfil one’s wishes. This Puja ceremony involves the gathering of many worshipers who spend three hours singing hymns in her praise in order to please the Goddess so that she can grant them their wishes. Mata ki chowki includes kirtans and bhajans which are performed in the respect to Mata Durga, Mata Laxmi, Mata Kaali, Saraswati, and Annapurna.
Karwa Chauth coincides with Sankashti Chaturthi a fasting day observed for Lord Ganesha. The fasting of Karwa Chauth and its rituals are observed by married women for the long life of their husband. Married women worship Lord Shiva and His family including Lord Ganesha and break the fast only after sighting and making the offerings to the moon. The fasting of Karwa Chauth is strict and observed without taking any food or even a drop of water after sunrise till the sighting of the moon in the night.
Karwa Chauth day is also known as Karak Chaturthi (करक चतुर्थी). Karwa or Karak refers to the earthen pot through which water offering, known as Argha (अर्घ), is made to the moon. Karwa is very significant during Puja and it is also given as Dan to the Brahmin or any eligible woman.