Durga Navaratri is a festival of nine days beginning from the first day of Asweejam month which generally falls in September or October. The important events during Durga Navaratri utsavam are – Navavarana pujas, Chandi yagam, Rudrayagam, Navadurga alankaras to Goddess and Vahana sevas to presiding divine couples – Sri Bramarambika Mallikarjuna Swamy.
During Dasara Navratri celebrations, special pujas and archanas are offered to Lord Mallikarjuna swamy. Bramarambika Devi worshipped in 9 forms of Navadurga. Sri Bramaramba sametha Mallikarjuna Swamy temple is located at Srisailam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the 12 jyothirling (prominent temples of Lord Shiva) and Astadasa Shakti Peetha (18 prominent temples of Mother Goddess).
Navaratri – Celebrations for nine days in Srisailam:
The celebrations of Dasara Navratri begin with the Ganapati Pooja followed by the Kalasa Sthapana and ends with Poornahuthi. During daily celebrations various religious rituals like Srichakrarchana, Navavarana pooja, Anustanams, Devi Sapthasathi, Parayanas, etc., besides Yagams are performed.
Kumari Pooja and Suhasini Pooja are also performed at evening hours. In the Kumari Pooja girls within the age group of between 2 to 8 years and in Suhasini Pooja Soubhagyavati (a woman whose husband is alive) are worshiped as deities. The Dampathi (Couple) Pooja is also took part on Mahanavami day i.e., on the 9th day in which pooja is offered to five couples. This day closes with the offering of sacrificial rice, breaking of pumpkins, coconuts etc., to the Goddess as Satvikabali.
Shami Puja on Vijaya Dashami:
After the completion of nine festive nights, on the day of Dasara festival Poornahuthi of Chandiyagam and Rudrayagam are performed in the day time. In the evening on Vijaya Dashami, Shami Pooja (worship to Prosopia tree) is performed. It is said that by seeing the Shami pooja one can succeed in his every activity.
Navadurga Alankar to Bramarambika Devi:
The Navadurga Alankaras offered to utsava Vigraham of Goddess Bhramaramba in these utsavams are Saila Putri (Parvathi), Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmandadurga, Skandamatha, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagouri and Siddhidayini. In the evening hours of every day special poojas are performed to these Alankaramurthies.
Vahana Sevas during Navratri:
Apart the above various sevas Vahana Sevas viz., Bhringivahanam, Mayuravahanam, Ravana Vahanam, Kailasa Vahanam, Hamsavahanam, Seshavahanam, Nandivahanam, Gaja Vahanam and Aswavahanam are offered to God and Goddess. The procession of both the Alankaram, and Vahanam are arranged on a grand manner every day.
Courtesy: Offical Website of Srisailam temple
