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 In this Sarvadhari year, Navaratri starts on September 29 2008 IST and lasts till October 9, 2008 IST.
Refer to the Agasthiar Panchangam Spiritual Calendar for other time zones.
What is Navaratri?
Nava = Nine. Ratri = Night. Thus Navaratri = Nine Nights.
The nine nights of Navaratri are particularly important for the worship of the Universal Mother.
The first nine thithis of the waxing moon phase that immediately
follow Mahalaya Amavasya are referred to as Sharada Navaratri. This generally occurs in the September/October timeframe each year.
Similarly there is Vasanta Navratri in spring and two other Navaratris each year. Of these four, the Sharada Navaratri is the most popular. These days, it seems to be the only one that people celebrate! What should be an once per month observance has been relegated to once per year!
Saptha Maathaa Shakti Navaratri 2008
In this Sarvadhari year, Navaratri starts on September 29 2008 IST and lasts till October 9, 2008 IST.
Refer to the Agasthiar Panchang Spiritual Calendar for other time zones.
The Sathguru, Guru Mangala Gandharva Venlataraman revealed special features of
each important spiritual observance in Sri Agasthia Vijayam, the Ashram monthly magazine.
The special feature of Navaratri 2008 and Siddha worship procedures for this Navratri are in the October 2008 issue of the magazine made available in September 2008.
The special feature of Navaratri 2008 is the Universal Mother Goddess's advent along with the seven
Saptha Matrika Devis and two Adi Dwara Palaki gate keepers on the nine nights of this Sarvadhari Navaratri
at nine important Shakti temples.
Navaratri Night 1: Prathamai Thithi
Monday September 29, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this first day of Sharad Navaratri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Brahmi Devi (one of the Saptha Matrikas)
offered worship at Chakramangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva's Third Eye - Siva Netra Chakra Darshan.
Even the radiance of a million suns cannot equal the brilliance of this ineffable darshan above the Ajna Chakra.
The Chakramangai temple located in Chakrapalli near Ayyampettai (on the Kumbakonam - Papanasam - Thanjavur route) is home to Mother Sri Devanayaki and Lord Sri Chakravageswara.
Worship at this temple on this Prathamai night.
Chakramangai
Chakrapalli near Ayyampettai
Darshan of Shiva's Third Eye
Sri Brahmi Devi, one of the Saptha Maathas
Mother Sri Devanayaki
Lord Sri Chakravaageswara
Navratri Night 2: Dvithiyai Thithi
Tuesday September 30, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this second day of Sharda Navaratri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Maheswari Devi (one of the Saptha Matrikas)
offered worship at Arimangai (Harimangai) and got the darshan of the divine Ganga on Lord Shiva's head - Siva Ganga Darshan.
The Harimangai temple is located 2 k.m. from the Koyiladi bus stand near Ayyampettai (on the Kumbakonam - Papanasam - Thanjavur route). It is home to Mother Sri Gnanambika and Lord Sri Hari Muktheeswara.
Worship at this temple on this Dwithiyai night.
This temple is in need of renovation works. Devotees should take responsibility for these works and do whatever service they can.
Arimangai
near Ayyampettai
Darshan of Ganga on Siva's Head
Sri Maheswari Devi, one of the Sapta Mathaas
Mother Sri Gnaanambika
Lord Sri Hari Mukteeswara
Navarathri Night 3: Trithiyai Thithi
Wednesday October 1, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this third day of Sarada Navratri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Koumari Devi (one of the Saptha Matrikas)
offered worship at Soolamangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva's Trident - Siva Trisoola Darshan.
The Soolamangai temple is located in Soolamangalam which is 1 k.m. from Ayyampettai (on the Kumbakonam - Papanasam - Thanjavur route). It is home to Mother Sri Alankaravalli and Lord Sri Keerthivaageeswara.
Worship at this temple on this Thrithiya night.
This temple is also home to a very special deity - Lord Sri Astra Deva - who makes divine weapons for all deities.
Lord Astra Deva removes feelings of enmity from us.
Worship at this very rare and very special shrine.
Soolamangai
Soolamangalam near Ayyampettai
Darshan of Siva's Trident
Sri Kaumari Devi, one of the Saptha Maathaas
Mother Sri Alanakaravalli
Lord Sri Keertivaageeswara
Lord Sri Astra Deva
Navarathiri Night 4: Chathurthi Thithi
Thursday October 2, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this fourth day of Sharada Navratri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Vaishnavi Devi (one of the Saptha Matrikas)
offered worship at Nandhimangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva's Leg Ornament - Siva Kazhal Darshan.
The Nandimangai temple is located in Nallicheri on the Nallichery Road which branches left from the Aiyampettai - Thanjavur road past the Pasupathi Temple. It is near both Soolamangalam and Aiyampettai. It is home to Mother Sri Akhilandeswari and Lord Sri Jambukeswara.
Worship at this temple on this Chathurthi night.
Waves of spiritual ecstasy roll over Lord Nandiswara, the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, as Siva's kazhal leg ornament brush Nandi's sides. But Lord Nandishwar also longed for the touch of Shiva's lotus feet on his body. So Nandeeswara conducted 1008 Pradosham poojas with utmost sincerity and devotion. As a result of this sincere puja, Lord Siva satisfied devoted Nandi's longing at this Nandhimangai temple. On this Chathurthi night, request Mother Sri Akhilandeswari to satisfy your earnest (spiritual) longings too.
Nandhimangai
Nallicheri near Ayyampettai
Darshan of Siva's Leg Ornament
Sri Vaishnavi Devi, one of the Saptha Maathaas
Mother Sri Akhilandeswari
Lord Sri Jambukeswara
Lord Sri Nandiswara
Navaratri Night 5: Panchami Thithi
Friday October 3, 2008 IST from 6:05 p.m. till 8:20 p.m. Saturday October 4, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this fifth day of Sarada Navarathri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Varahi Devi (one of the Saptha Matrikas) and Mother Kamadhenu,
offered worship at Pasumangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva's Hand Drum - Siva Udukkai Darshan (Damaruka Darshan).
The Pasumangai temple is located in Pasupathi Koil just after Papanasam on the Thanjavur road. It is home to Mother Sri Paal Vala Nayaki and Lord Sri Pasupathiswara.
Worship at this temple on this Panchami night.
When Lord Shiva plays His udukkai drum, He grants Beeja Veda Shakti blessings through the Beejakshara sound waves that He generates through the drum. Siva's hand drum (udukku or damaru) has two faces, one the Pasu side and the other the Pathi side. Pasu refers to the jivatma, the bound, individual soul. Pati refers to God as the lord of the bound souls who redeems them from their bonds (paasam). This Pasupathi Temple in Pasumangai is one of those sacred spots where the bound (Pasu) souls can reach the (Pati) Divine. Pray to Lord Pasupati here for that divine Bija Veda Gnana wisdom that can unite you (the Pasu) with Him (the Pathi).
Pasumangai
Pasupati Kovil near Papanasam on Thanjavur Road
Darshan of Siva's Drum
Sri Varahi Devi, one of the Saptha Mathas
Sri Kamdhenu
Mother Sri Paal Vala Nayaki
Lord Sri Pasupathiswara
Pasu Pathi Pasam resolved here!
Navratri Night 6: Sashti Thithi
from 8:21 p.m. Saturday October 4, 2008 IST till 10:50 p.m. October 5, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this sixth day of Sharad Navarathiri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Indrani Devi also known as Mahendri (one of the Saptha Matrikas)
offered worship at Thaazhamangai and got the darshan of the Crescent Moon on Lord Shiva's Head Drum - Siva Pirai Chandra Darshan.
The Thazhamangai temple is located close to Pasupathi Koil mentioned above. It is home to Mother Sri Raja Rajeswari and Lord Sri Chandramouleeswara.
Worship at this temple on this Shasti night.
There are not that many temples where the Mother Goddess manifests Herself in Her Rajarajeswari form. So this temple is quite special. Those who are burdened with lack of peace in the family should resolve to do regular worship at this temple on Tuesdays, Fridays and on the night of the darshan of the third phase of the crescent moon. This steadfast worship will help bestow peace and tranquility in one's family.
Thaazhamangai
very close to Pasupati Kovil which is just after Papanasam on Thanjavur Road
Darshan of Siva's Crescent Moon
Sri Indrani Devi (Mahendri), one of the Saptha Mathas
Mother Sri RajaRajeswari
Lord Sri Chandra Mouleeswara
peace in the family
Navaratri Night 7: Sapthami Thithi
October 6, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this seventh day of Sharda Navarathiri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Chamundi Devi (one of the Sapta Matrikas)
offered worship at Thirupullamangai and got the darshan of the Divine Serpents on Lord Shiva's Neck - Siva Naga Bhooshana Darshan.
The Pullamangai temple is located 1 k.m. from Pasupathi Koil which is next to Aiyampettai on the Kumbakonam - Aiyampettai - Thanjavur Road. It is home to Mother Sri Alliyankodhai (also known as Soundara Nayaki) and Lord Sri Brahmapureeswara.
Worship at this temple on this Saptami night.
This temple is so special that the eight Ashta Naga Devas offered 300 million Nagalinga flowers in worship here on a Sivaratri night. So it is at this Naga Shakti shrine that the Mother Goddess got the darshan of Shiva with the divine snakes sporting on His neck.
Thiru Pullamangai
1 k.m. from Pasupati Kovil which is next to Aiyampettai on Thanjavur Road
Darshan of the divine serpents on Siva's neck
Sri Chamundi Devi, one of the Sapta Mathas
Mother Sri Alliyankodhai also known as Soundara Nayagi
Lord Sri Brahmapureeswara
Ashta Naga Devas
300 million Nagalinga flowers
Naga Shakti temple
Navratri Night 8: Ashtami Thithi
October 7, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this eighth day of Sarada Navarathiri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Vajreswari Devi (one of the Adi Moola Dwara Palaki gate keepers of the Mother)
offered worship at the Thiruchelur Machapureeswara temple.
The Thirucheloor temple is located next to Devarayanpettai which is near Papanasam - Pandaravaadai.
It is home to Mother Sri Sugandha Kundhalambika and Lord Sri Machapureeswara (Matsyapureeswara).
Worship at this temple on this Ashtami night.
This temple gives relief to parents and children who are estranged, parents and children that argue with each other. It helps those who are distressed by such troubled relationships.
Offer sambrani dhoopam throughout this temple and worship amidst these fragrant vapors. Such worship will get you out of the grip of any bad habits and vices.
ThiruChelur Machapureeswara Temple
next to Devarayanpettai which is near Papanasam - Pandaravaadai
Sri Vajreswari Devi, one of the Adi Moola Dwara Palaki gate keepers of the Mother
Mother Sri Sugandha Kundhalambika
Lord Sri Machapureeswara (Matsyapureeswara)
Navaratri Night 9: Navami Thithi
October 8, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
On this ninth day of Sharada Navaraathiri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Makuteswari Devi (one of the Adi Moola Dwara Palaki gate keepers of the Mother)
offered worship at the Melattur Unnathapureeswara temple.
The Melattoor temple is located on the Thanjavur - Thirukarukavur route.
It is home to Mother Sri Sivakami and Lord Sri Unnathapureeswara.
Worship at this temple on this Navami night.
This is one of the great Shiva Shakti temples where the Universal Mother Parasakthi, the seven Saptha Matrikas and the two Adi Moola Dwara Palaki gate keepers offer worship every day.
Mellatur Unnathapureeswara Temple
on the Thanjavur - Thirukarukavur route
Sri Makuteswari Devi, one of the Adi Moola Dwara Palaki gate keepers of the Mother
Mother Sri Sivagami
Lord Sri Unnathapureeswara
Navratri Night 10: Vijaya Dasami Thithi
October 9, 2008 IST
(other time zones)
Vijaya Dasami, the tenth day of Sarad Navaratri, is the appearance day of Mother Sri Ayurdevi and an important day for Her worship.
Vijaya = Victory. VijayaDasami is the day of victory of the Universal Mother - the victory of good over evil, of positive forces over negative forces.
It is a day of new beginnings, new educational pursuits, happiness, worship and selfless giving.
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