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* Special recitation of Goddess Durga is conducted
daily including the reciting of Durga
Saptashasti.
* All are exhorted to do the maximum number
of Japa of the Navarna
Mantra, Aim hreem kleem chaamundaayai
vichche, or the Mantra of their own tutelary
Deity.
* An elaborately decorated altar is set up
for the evening Satsangs, with the picture of
Mother Durga for
the first three days, Mother
Lakshmi for the next three days, and
Mother Saraswathi for
the last three days. Many sacred verses from
the scriptures are recited and many Kirtans
are sung. The Durga Saptashati or the Devi Mahatmya
is recited and explained in discourses. The
function concludes with the formal floral worship
and Arati. Sometimes scenes from the Devi Mahatmya
are also enacted.
* Besides the books representing Saraswathi,
all instruments and implements like typewriters,
printing machinery, etc., are also worshipped
on the ninth day.
* On the Vijaya Dasami
day, all aspirants en masse are given
initiation into various Mantras according to
their tutelary Deities. Deserving aspirants
are initiated into the holy order of Sannyas.
Initiation in the study of the alphabets is
given to young children, and to the old children
also! New students commence their lessons in
music, etc. During the morning Satsang the books
which were worshipped on the ninth day are again
worshipped and a chapter from each of the principal
scriptures like the Gita, Upanishads, Brahma
Sutras, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavata is recited.
* On the Vijaya Dasami
day, there is Kanya
Puja also. Nine girls below the age of
ten are worshipped as the embodiment of the
Divine Mother. They are fed sumptuously and,
amongst other things, presented with new clothes.
* On this last day a grand havan is conducted
in the temple, with recitation of the Durga
Saptashati and other verses in praise of the
Divine Mother.
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