Dasara Navaratri Utsavams

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Navaratri, the festival of nine nights, is one of the most sacred and vibrant celebrations at Shri Shri Nalla Pochamma Devalayam, dedicated to Nalla Pochamma Thalli Ammavaru in her multiple divine forms. This festival is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, the awakening of inner strength, and the manifestation of Devi’s supreme energy (Shakti).

Across these nine days and ten nights, the temple becomes a powerful spiritual hub where Amma is worshipped in different avatars of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, each day signifying a new energy, a new blessing.

Every day of Navaratri is observed with unique alankarams, mantras, and spiritual themes. The Navadurga forms worshipped include:

1. Shailaputri – The Daughter of the Himalayas
    
2. Brahmacharini – The Goddess of Devotion & Penance
    
3. Chandraghanta – The Warrior with the Moon-Crest
    
4. Kushmanda – The Cosmic Creator
    
5. Skandamata – The Mother of Skanda (Murugan)
    
6. Katyayani – The Fierce Protector
    
7. Kalaratri – The Destroyer of Darkness
    
8. Mahagauri – The Goddess of Peace and Purity
    
9. Siddhidatri – The Granter of Powers and Fulfillment
    

Each day, Amma is adorned (Shakti Alankaram) as one of these forms using specific colors, garlands, silks, ornaments, and vibrant decorations.

 Key Rituals Performed During Navaratri 

Each morning begins with Suprabhata Seva and special alankaram of Amma with fresh flowers, turmeric, kumkum, vastrams, and abharanams. The decorated form of the day (Navadurga) is revealed to devotees amidst chants and harathi.

Devotees participate in Kumkum Archana, offering prayers with red turmeric to invoke the goddess’s blessings for protection, fertility, peace, and strength. Lalitha Sahasranamam and Devi Mahatmyam are chanted daily by priests and devotees alike.

One of the most powerful rituals of Navaratri, the Chandi Homam is performed on Ashtami, Navami, or Vijaya Dashami, invoking the fierce aspect of the goddess who slayed Mahishasura. This sacred fire ritual removes obstacles, fulfills desires, and grants community-wide protection and prosperity.

The Navachandi Homam, an elaborate and Vedic yagnam invoking all 9 forms of Durga, may also be performed during the Utsavams based on community sponsorship.

On Ashtami or Navami, young girls (aged 2–10) are worshipped as manifestations of Kumari Devi. Their feet are washed, kumkum is applied, and they are honored with new clothes, gifts, food (prasadam), and heartfelt reverence. It is believed that honoring Kanyas pleases the Divine Mother immensely.

During evenings, rows of deepams (oil lamps) are lit across the temple premises, creating a divine glow. The sanctum is bathed in soft, sacred light while Mahashankharthi and Maha Deeparadhana are performed with traditional drums and conch sounds.

Throughout the nine days, priests and devotees read the Durga Saptashati / Devi Mahatmyam, recounting the victories of the goddess over demons like Mahishasura, Shumbha, and Nishumbha. Listening or reading this grants inner courage, spiritual merit, and cleansing of past karmas.

On the tenth day, Amma is worshipped as Rajarajeshwari / Durga Mahadevi, representing victory over all evils. Special Harathi, Shanti Homam, and Uregimpu processions may be held to mark the completion of the Utsavam. It’s a day of celebration, spiritual culmination, and blessings for new beginnings.

We invite you and your family to take part in these divine nine nights by offering sevas, sponsoring homams or annadanam, or simply visiting the temple and experiencing Amma’s grace firsthand.

“Shakti awakens where devotion flows.”