Navratri Celebrations (October 6, 2002 - October 13, 2002)

(Puj Dada Ratanchandji praying to Durga Mata)

        Navratri celebrations were held at Sufidar, Chennai from the night of 6th October 2002 to 13th October 2002. This colorful occasion was long awaited by all with the preparations being done well in advance. Every detail of the festivities was looked into including the decorations, parsaad, rooms for the guests to make the celebrations a big success.
 
 

(Puj Dada Ratanchandji in the Parsaad room)

        The walls of Sufidar were decorated with beautiful lights and colorful flowers. Red and gold dupattas flanked the pillars and railings. Devotees gathered in huge numbers to take part in the celebrations. On the night of 6th October, the Akhand Jyot was lit by Puj Dada Ratanchandji at the special altar set up for Durga Mata. Offerings of fruits, flowers and sweets were made to Mata Durga by the devotees. On each day of the celebrations, part of the the offerings thus made were put into the havan and the rest was kept aside for distribution.
 
 

(Puj Dada Ratanchandji making offerings into the Havan)

        On the terrace, huge 'sigris' were lit up for the Havan. Every devotee took part by making offerings of fruit, sugar and ghee into the Havan. Devotees went around the Havan in queues managed by lady shewadaris. After the Havan, the Sangat assembled in the Main Hall to perform the Aarti for Durga Mata.
 
 

(Shri Ramesh Oberoi of Mumbai singing bhajans)

    Singers enthralled the Sangat with bhajans in praise of Mata Durga. Devotees joined enthusiastically with chants of 'Jai Mata Di'.
 
 

(Puj Dada Ratanchandji praying to Durga Mata)

    On 13th October, the last day of the celebrations, after the Aarti, devotees eagerly awaited the moment when Puj Dada Ratanchandji sprinkled Holy Water on them.  The Holy Water which was kept in a silver urn at the altar of Durga Mata was carried by a shewadari who went around the main hall with Puj Dada Ratanchandji who sprinkled the water on devotees.
 
 

(Puj Bhabhi performing the Aarti to Durga Mata)

(Shri Ishwar Advani of Dubai singing a bhajan)
 
 

(Shri Vipin Sewani singing a bhajan)