Dear Friends,

We visited the artist to approve the statue of the Goddess Durga, which is now completed. It will be installed at Magod in the Panchdev Mandir- Satsang hall where the statue of Bhagawan currently resides. On March 31st we arrived in Delhi.

Om Shree Matre Namah!!!

I offer my salutations to you from Delhi. We have once again invoked the Devi's presence and are enjoying her grand worship immensely along with all the offerings which are made to her daily. (…immensely enjoying the external feeling which is present of loving devotion). Let me clarify the feeling is always there and experienced. Again Gurudev reminds us that the outer worship is truly for ourselves and we offer our gratitude and appreciation for what is given to us in our daily lives.

For those of you who are celebrating Navratra wherever you may be, I offer the following thoughts as it is being performed here in Gurudev's presence. Each year according to the place, space, devotees, it carries a different expression and feeling.

Although the One presence is the Same the external manifestation varies according to the city, space and devotees. Padma and Naveen have come from Magod. Padma remains ever busy with the Giftshop and Naveen is participating along with the priests. Tusharbhai, Bhaktiben and Janki from Surat, Gauri Desai from Mumbai, are also here to participate in the celebrations. They are offering their seva in the kitchen and assisting the Brahmins.

March 31st - Monday
Our visit began with a pooja at the Khanna's house late in the night. At this time, Gurudev immediately was pleased to discover that the voices of the 3 priests who accompanied Lavarji matched perfectly and complimented each other nicely.

April 1st - Tuesday
The morning was spent preparing the space for the Devi. There is much excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation as Gurudev is celebrating Navratra in Delhi after 1989. However that was with Seetaraman in the South Indian tradition, which is very different from Lavarji.

April 2nd - Wednesday
The installation ceremonies began as always in the morning. Another addition to the worship has been the offering of various fruits on designated days. For example: Grapes, Dates, Oranges, Mango, Walnuts, Chickoo, Pomegranate, Bananas. Thus every day there is an abundance of whichever fruit is listed and it is placed in front of the Devi. After the priests have offered it to her the next day, it is distributed to everyone as prasad. Also as many devotees here in Delhi normally observe the fast during these days, all of the prasad is being prepared in this way. This has been a challenge for Mamaji and Ashok to think of new fasting items for all ten days, which fall under this practice. In the evening Parvati Vallabha was chanted.

April 3rd - Thursday
We arrive at the hall each morning at 6:15 a.m. The meditation begins at 6:30 until 7:15. Lavarji then begins the pooja & abhishek session followed by the recitation of the Chandi Path. There are no breaks between 6:30 - 11:00 a.m. I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying the Chandi Path as the four priests alternate with their voices. The evening session begins at 5:00 p.m. with Lavarji, followed by evening Arati, Lalita Sahasranamavalih, Kirtan, Gurudev's talk, closing ceremonies by Lavarji and Arati/Darshan/Prasad. It concludes somewhere between 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. depending on how inspired Gurudev becomes in his talks. For the 1st two nights, Gurudev kept repeating that he wanted to speak less, however once he began he got inspired speaking from the Holy Geeta on Chapter 3 about Karma. The intensity is fully present. He has been focusing on the need to change one's habits and patterns and how? By controlling the mind and the senses by dissolving the desires at the root through chanting, contemplation etc. At the same time he has been relentless on the necessity of cleanliness, awareness and becoming free from laziness. Instead of remaining limited in one's vision to expand it from the small picture to the larger picture. When the eye is removed from the body can it see? No, only when it is connected to the body and to the mind, can this be possible. Jagan mithya - what you see and experience is not Truth. He is inspiring everyone to open their mouths and chant otherwise one remains separate from the experience
In the evening Om Guru Om Guru Om Gurudev was chanted.

April 4th - Friday
As a result of Gurudev's inspiration - The highlight of tonight was the chant of Kali Durge Namo Namah! It was superb and spectacular!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was dancing on the inside, playful with the scintillating vibration on the inside, delighting, swaying to and fro, smiling to the Gods and experiencing the oneness of Supreme bliss. There were two drummers, the voices of the devotees, everyone completely one and absorbed in the chanting. Completely ESCTATIC!!!!!!!! OVER THE MOON!!!!!!!!!!! AMAZING, FANTASTIC, INCREDIBLE, BLISSFUL BEYOND DESPCRIPTION!!!!

I'm still recovering today. It was such a high. Also amazing was the chanting of the Lalita Sahasranam, extremely powerful, the tune remained steady, rhythmic, powerful throughout the 1000 verses. There is a priest approximately 52 years old who becomes beautifully inspired and offers to the Devi various Marathi Aratis during the closing ceremonies each evening.

April 5th - Saturday
Today the children of the 6th & 8th classes performed after the morning ceremonies. They sang an invocation to Saraswati, a short play on Krishna's life and the traditional dance which is done in Gujarat in honor of the Devi during Navratra. As sticks are used, it is known as "Dandya".

It was my wish to connect to all of you at the earliest and wish you a wonderful and fruitful Navratra. More to come…

OM SAMASTA BHAKTA SUKHA-DAYAI NAMAH

Lots and lots of love to all of you,