RITU MAHESHWARI
India Post News Service
FREMONT, California: Decked with lights, overflowing with the hustle and bustle of festively dressed men, women and children, and reverberating with holy chants, mantras and devotional songs , the Fremont Hindu temple was transformed into a festive hub as devotes in the Bay Area celebrated Navratri as well as Durga Puja.
The temple held beautiful Raas Garba and Dandiya everyday during Navratri season till October 7. Hundreds of devotees adorned in traditional dresses enthusiastically played Dandiya and Garba while offering prayers.
A grand finale session of Dandiya was held on Sharad Poornima October 13. This provided a consistent and free platform for local devotees to celebrate the festival. It was followed by “prasad” for the community. Amita Patel, Naresh Patel, and Fremont Hindu Hindu Temple Garba Group organized the daily performances.
Chandi Yagna, Ashtami, Navami, Vijayadasami, Mata Ka Jagaran, Ravan Dahan, Laksha Kumkum Archana for Suhagan ladies, Saraswati Puja, and Aksharabhyasa for kids were performed during this period. Aksharabhyasam or Vidyarambham is a traditional religious function in which a child is given initiation for education.
Mata Ka Jagran was a super hit with devotional songs by Harjeet Mehndi and group. With a record number of devotees coming to sponsor the Jagran, devotees stayed up till past 2 a.m. in the morning to sing devotional songs.
Dussehra was celebrated with Ravan Dahan, attended by hundreds of people. Kids learned Indian culture and watched Ravan Dahan with excitement. Fremont Temple founder Dr Romesh Japra and temple executives Rajesh Verma, Manorama Joshi, Ritu Maheshwari, Veena Birla and Sudesh Saini were present and performed the puja during Ravan Dahan.
“It is heartening to see Indian community come in large numbers to celebrate the festival and observe the rich culture and traditions that unite us and keep us anchored to our heritage,” Dr Japra said.
Navratri is a multi-day Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. In the eastern and northeastern states of India, Durga Puja is synonymous with Navratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon to help restore dharma.
In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymous with Ram Lila and Dussehra that celebrates the battle and victory of god Ram over the demon king Ravana.
During the nine days, devotees solemnly fast and worship the nine manifestations or forms of Goddess Durga, also known as Shakti. People came in large numbers to enjoy and participate in the festivities.
