Every year, a special Vedic celebration comes around called Navaratri. 'Nava' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', therefore Navaratri is the celebration that takes place over 9 nights. And what is it that we are celebrating? Night is the time of deep rest and rejuvenation. But this celebration goes beyond having a good nights sleep. The 'night' that we're talking about in Navaratri, and the deep rest it brings, actually refers to that place within us that is the source of all our activity. We call this state 'Being', 'Self', 'is-ness' or 'pure awareness'. It is the source of all energy, creativity and love that exists in the universe. When we make contact with this essence of our very own self, we not only gain the deepest rest possible, but we also begin to embody its unbounded energy and universal wisdom. During this time we specifically place our attention of the universal energy of the Supreme Feminine, the Devi (Goddess), and ask for her blessings in all aspects of our life.

During the 9 nights of Navaratri, taking place 17th-25th October this year, we can align ourselves with this time in Nature where universal energies are on our side, supporting us in deep rest, connection to our Self and the removal of negativity.

Usually, we head to India during this time and engage in all the traditional Vedic ceremonies that facilitate this energetic transformation in a really powerful way. As it isn't possible to travel this year, we have arranged for our community to be able to sponsor special Vedic fire ceremonies, known as 'Yagya', that take place in India over the 9 nights (and one on the final 10th day). These energetic ceremonies purify the mind, body and spirit, and create a flow of uplifting energy to everyone who takes part. The sponsorship costs pay for the items needed for the yagyas (wood, ghee, ofefrings, sari, food etc.) as well as supporting the life of the one who's performing it. COVID-19 has severely impacted India this year, and your involvement will greatly assist their ability to keep performing the selfless service they have devoted their lives to.

This is a very special opportunity and blessing to receive and we are so grateful to have our Mahasoma community part of it.

Your sponsorship will support three of our dear teachers and friends who will be performing the ceremonies over the 9 nights / 10 days

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1. PANDIT BASKARAN

Pandit Baskaran is a Vedic meditation teacher and Vedic Priest (Pandit) specialing in yagya - Vedic fire ceremonies. He is the embodiment of love and devotion! He will be performing 9 x yagyas over Navaratri to the 3 x aspects of the Divine Mother - Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga. Through this we will all receive the blessings of abundance and flow (Lakshmi), wisdom and knowledge (Saraswati), courage and strength (Durga). Panditji lives with his wife and two boys in Chennai. Supporting him to do yagya will help him send his kids to college and the final year of high school.

2. PANDIT SANJAY FROM KALIMATH

Pandit Sanjay is a Vedic priest (Pandit) at the Kali Temple in Kalimath, northern India. He will be performing 10 x pujas (vedic ceremonies that include yagya) to the different aspects of Durga Devi (Kali). The Kalimath Temple is a powerful place to visit, and being part of Pandit Sanjay performing yagya here is a huge blessing... you will feel it! Pandit Sanjay lives with his wife and two kids - a son and daughter. Supporting him to do the ceremonies will help build a guesthouse at their family home, so people can stay and they can make an income to feed their family and send their kids to school and college.

3. SRI SAKTHI AMMA AT SRI PURUM GOLDEN TEMPLE

Sri Sakthi Amma is an Avatar of the Divine Mother and at her temple, Sri Purum, in the south of India, many Vedic ceremonies will be taking place over the 9 nights / 10 days! Hundreds of hours of chanting mantra, offerings, fire ceremonies and puja will be happening. This is where our founder, Laura Poole, spent her 2019 Navaratri and had a very powerful time! Supporting Amma, and everyone at the Sri Purum Temple to perform these powerful ceremonies will have a flow on effect not only to the Vedic priests, but to everyone from the local village who is part of the temples daily offerings.

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We are hoping to also livestream some of these ceremonies via Zoom. At anytime during the 9-nights, you can watch the full Navaratri celebrations at Sri Sakthi Amma's Sri Purum temple via http://www.sripuram.tv/ Once you sponsor the Navaratri, we will send you an email with more details closer to the time with personal Zoom links.

Please also make sure you fill out your full name, DOB and place of birth in the event ticket so the Vedic Priests (Pandits) can chant your name part of the ceremony so you can receive the full blessings.

We wish you a very happy Navaratri! May you all come to experience the deepest love and bliss possible. May your life radiate this love for all to enjoy.

With love,

The Mahasoma Team x