Twice a year, Sada Shiva Dham celebrates the Navaratri festival for the Universal Mother, every time for 9 days. The universal Mother is the dynamic aspect of creation, which creates everything and and puts everything in motion. She has many names and has in different cultures different names. However, it is always the same universal harmonious force that works in every aspect of creation.
In the picture here, she is displayed as Haidakhandeswari, the universal Mother of Haidakhan. She is also called Durga, Kali, Parvati, Shakti, etc. At Sada Shiva Dham in Loenen near Apeldoorn this celebration is twice a year, in spring and autumn. The exact dates can be found in the calendar.
The daily program for the 9 days is as follows:
6.30 : Paduka Puja, a small ceremony to invite Mahavatar Babaji to be present (in everyone’s heart).
7.30: Aarti: Offering of Light with mantra singing.
8.30: Devi Puja, special ceremony to welcome the Divine Mother. Every day, this ceremony is devoted to a special aspect of the Divine Mother.
9.15: Reading together the Sapta Sati, the 700 verses for the Mother.
10.30: Havan, Vedic Fire Ceremony: for harmony and peace.
12.00: Karma Yoga in the ashram with activities like cleaning, cooking, gardening etc..
13.15: Bhandara, festive warm vegetarian lunch.
16.00: Karma Yoga
17.30: Possible satsang in the temple (sitting together and speaking together in truth)
19.00: Aarti
22:00: Rest
The above program is subject to adjustments per Navaratri. You are invited to participate in each part of the program.
During these 9 days, experience shows that the energy is extraordinary, gentle and peaceful. Being present and participating is a kind of meditation. The effect is healing to ourselves, refreshing, and we gain energy.
Visitors can come all nine days (there is a possibility to stay overnight), but can also chose to be present for a few days or for instance for one morning.
This Navaratri time is a good time to eat only once a day. Hence, at Sada Shiva Dham, a festive lunch is served aroun 13.30. If, in this way, you have to be too long sober in the morning, one can take some fruit or nuts. Visitors who need to have some food in the evening, for whatever reason, they can have some food in the evening.
For further information: please contact.