Utsav Events

Main Deities 

Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava was very unique, the only one of its kind.. Mahishasurmardini’s Akhil Kameshwari (fullfiler of all desires), Mahakali’s “Kalniyantri” (one who has power over the time) and Mahasaraswati’s “Arogyabhavani” (giver of good health) forms were the three primary goddesses worshipped in this Utsav. 

All these three forms of  Chandika were present in the form of idols on the main stage of the Utsav at Shree Harigurugram.Goddess ‘Akhil Kameshwari’ stoodin the centre, to the right of which was the Goddess ‘Kalniyantrak’ and on the left was the Goddess ‘Arogyabhavani’. 

The three forms of Mahishasurmardini that wards off all the impediments in the essential elements of Kaal (time), Kaam (desires) and Arogya (health) were worshipped during the Utsav. Every day, there was Mahapoojan and Nityajap (daily chanting) from 7 am to 10 pm. Naivedya was offered three times and Mahabhog was offered once in the evening There would be a variety of Mahabhog through the nine days. Along with the Mahabhog, daily waters from the different rivers were also offered Maha-Aarti was at 1 pm and 9 pm, daily. Bapu used to himself perform the Maha-Aarti. The opportunity to perform the Mahapoojan was also made available to  willing Shraddhavans. 

Sahastra Chandi Yaag 

‘Sahastra Chandi Yagna was organised before the three primary deities. 

1.‘ॐऐंर्हींक्लींचामुण्डायैविच्चे’

2.‘नतभ्यं-सर्वदा-भक्त्याचण्डिकेदुरितापहे।

रुपंदेही, जयंदेहि, यशोदेहि, द्विषौजहि।’ 

3.‘ॐनमश्चण्डिकायै’

These three mantras were repeatedly chanted as a set. Moreover, at 2 pm and 8.30 pm, Devi Saptashati was also chanted here. For this yagna, 108 specially trained priests were appointed.  

‘Sahastra Chandi Yagna’ was  bliss for the Shraddhavans. They were not required to make any offerings here neither were they given anything in return, yet, every Shraddhavan was able to participate , and were also able to see the ‘Sahasrtra Chandi Yagna. This Yagna added strength and potential to the efforts that were made to attain the grace of Mata Chandika. 

Mahakali-Kund 

In ‘Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava’, a ‘Mahakali-Kund’ was built to destroy the kendras, which are under the influence of Kali residing in the Pranmay deha (life force plane of human body)

Symbolic representations of the eleven demons killed by Mahakali viz. Madhu, Kaitabh, Mahishasur, Shumbh, Nishumbh, Rakta-beej, Dhoomra-lochan, Asiloma, Chand, Mund and Ravan were put up here. These are those eleven demons who influence the 11 kendras in our body  under the influence of Kali. ‘The one who destroys kali is Kaali.’ Shraddhavans  offered ‘Asur dahan dravya’  at the ‘Mahakali kund’. This offering was voluntary  but not mandatory. 

Mahalakshmi Deep 

In ‘Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava’, Bapu had arranged for all the Shraddhavans a special celebration, ‘Mahalakshmi Deep’. In today's time, it is not feasible for everyone to go on a pilgrimage to 52 Shaktipeeths.  

Sadguru Shree Aniruddha had established all the 52 Shaktipeeths in this Mahalakshmi Deep. There were 52 large lamps where Shraddhavans   offered ‘Sursneha dravya’. The arrangement for Mahalakshmi Deep was designed with  a view to help Shraddhavans  to receive the virtue of the 52 Shaktipeeths. The Mahalakshmi Deep helped convert the inactive kendras into active and potent kendras.  

Mahasaraswati Vapi 

During ‘Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava’, Parampujya Bapu had provided access to  a special opportunity,for Shraddhavans to empower their 85 Shubhankara kendras in the Pranmay deha (life force plane of the body) - ‘Maha Saraswati Vapi’,  

Vaapi means a well. The well was constructed using 720 Kanthakoop Pashan which were charged with mantras and holy verses. The poojan was conducted by reciting Sanatan Devisukt, selected prayers from Purusharth Granthraj and an important page from Shree Ramrasayan.  

Shraddhavans  offered ‘Mangalyadravya’ in this well. Mangalyadravya means Mixture of  Haldi (turmeric), Kumkum (Vermilion) and Abeer. After the conclusion of the 10-day festival, the pashans (bricks)  will be utilized  to construct the innermost sanctum i.e. the Chandika Garbhagriha at the first “ ’Purusharth Dham’.

‘Shatrughneshvari-poojan’ in the Prasannotsava, was the worship of Goddess Mahishaasurmardini’s fourth incarnation, Goddess Rakta-dantika, that is ‘Shatrughneshwari’, the fiery form.

Humans frequently tend to experience enmity in their lives, The fourth incarnation of Goddess Mahishasurmardini, was worshipped to quell such adversaries and their activities.  

The story of Goddess Raktadantika is mentioned in Matruvatsalya Vindanam. An idol of Raktadantika, in her fiery form, was installed in the hall. Shraddhavans  performed poojan sitting before this idol. The peculiarity of this poojan was that after every batch of poojan, the curtain was raised accompanied by music in the background and Shraddhavan could seek darshan of Raktadantika.

The Aarti played with Indian percussion instruments was in fact, out of the ordinary, just like her form. . Shraddhavans took her darshan and blessings with love, though the form of the deity appeared very aggressive. 

There was another yagya (oblation) in ‘Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava’ called ‘Shree Durgavarad Hom’. This yagya was performed with an intention to provide strength to simplify the efforts undertaken, to obtain the grace of Mother Chandika. This yagya was conducted according to Atrisamhita and  the Sanskrit edition of Matruvatsalya Vindanam. Shraddhavans were able to take darshan of this yagya, which continued for nine days and the concluding part was performed on the ninth day. 

‘Janhavisthanam’ and the ‘Foundation of Mother Ganga' were extremely important events in the Utsav.

Janhavisthanam 

One of the auspicious days, in the Vaishakh month (a month in Hindu calender) is ‘Ganga Saptami’, the day when took rebirth. This was the day when Mother Ganga (the holy river) descended to Earth in the form of Bhagirathi. In 2011, Ganga Saptami was on May 10, which was during the Varadchandika Prasannotsava. Hence, on this day, Parampujya Sadguru Shree Aniruddha established a symbolic form of Ganga. The place where this foundation took place is ‘Janhavisthanam’. At this place, an idol of Mother Ganga, made of five metals - gold, silver, copper, iron and zinc and seated on a crocodile was installed.

Continous Abhishek was performed on the idol amidst incessant chanting of mantras by few Prapathaks who were seated in front of the idol.. The accumulated water  of the Abhishek was made to flow into a small canal sideby. Every Shraddhavanwalking in a queue next to this canal, was able to dip his hands in it and was also able to put its two drops on his forehead.

It was through the Shraddhavans that Sadguru Shree Aniruddha accomplished the sacred and arduous task of collecting waters, needed for this Abhishek, from hundred rivers spread all over the world, After the festival, the idol of Mother Ganga (Shivganga- Gauri) was installed in ‘Shree Aniruddha Gurukshetram’. 

Avdhut Kumbh

Another highlight of the ‘Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava’ was the activation (charge) of ‘Avadhut-kumbh’.

Twenty-four kumbhas (pots) made of Panchdhatu (five metals-gold, silver, copper, iron and zinc) were filled with  unceasing ‘Udi’ and were charged according to Kalateet Samhita during these ten days. These were also worshipped in a special manner. The 24 Kumbhas (pots) were arranged in a specific formation beside the idols of the three main deities.

‘Shree Varadchandika Prasannotsava’ was indeed a wonderful experience for every Shraddhavan . The Utsav has become an unforgettable event to those who availed themselves of the opportunity to be a part of it. The Utsav that remains forever etched in the memory, enlightening their lives.