Kashi Ashram Celebrates Durga Puja

Sept. 15, 2010 - PRLog -- Ancient Vedic fire ceremonies mark the annual occasion of Durga Puja, dedicated to the the magnificent warrior goddess who freed humanity from the demons. Mother Durga takes the forms of the goddesses Kali, Laksmi, and Saraswati during her metaphorical battles with negative forces. At Kashi, Ma Jaya frequently teaches about each Goddess during the pujas, which illuminates steps on the spiritual path and helps us understand more about each aspect being honored.
The first two nights, Thursday, September 30, and Friday, October 1, are cleansing nights, where Mother Kali is asked to take from us what we do not need. In Hindu mythology, Durga takes the form of Kali to fight the demon armies. At Kashi, we are encouraged to visualize what we want to be free of and throw the darkness into the dhuni fire. Mother Kali, who is darker than any impurity we wish to be free of, gladly accepts it all. We make these offerings by throwing grain into the fire as ghee is poured over it.
The Pujas on Saturday, October 2, and Thursday, October 7, are dedicated to Mother Laksmi, who brings prosperity in all its forms including health, wealth and the wisdom to know what to do with the bounty. Coins are offered to the Mother as gifts. We are not limited in any fashion as to what we can ask for. The Hindu tradition speaks of how Durga takes on the form of Laksmi and fights other demon armies.
Mother Saraswati, the goddess of the arts, is honored on Friday, October 9. Flowers, symbolizing beauty and gratitude, are offered to Mother on this day. We ask her to help us share the beauty of living a spiritual life. In the sacred text, Mother Saraswati fights the last of the demon army.
On Saturday, October 10, we honor Mother Durga. In the Hindu tradition, the fighting with the demons is over and the celebration begins. It is a night of gratitude to the divine Mother for all her efforts on our behalf. We carry a statue of Mother Durga around the Ganga in a torchlight procession. The evening ends with the statue of Mother being submerged into the Ganga, taking our burdens with Her.

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Kashi is an interfaith spiritual community based on kindness, compassion, and service. Our purpose is to awaken a radical awareness about one's spiritual self and the issues that face the world today.