The Jai Jais Blog
Mataji Ni Aarti An English Translation
by Sunita Shah
One of the most significant parts of the nine days is the Aarti. Aarti, (Hindi “the ceremony of lights”) Sanskrit “Aratrika”, in Hindu rituals is the offering of lighted divas before an image of a god or goddesses. In performing the ritual the worshiper circles the diva in a clockwise direction while chanting a prayer or singing a hymn. Aarti is one of the most frequently observed parts of both temple and home pooja. The god or goddess is honoured by the lighted ghee (clarified butter) or camphor and is protected by the invocation of the deities of the directions of the compass.
Dusshera
by Sunita Shah
With the Diwali upon us, let your child connect to super heroes in true festive spirit, with ‘The Jai Jais’. The Indian tradition understands the power of storytelling to ignite the curiosity of young minds in exploring the hidden depths of our religion, culture and roots. Who doesn’t love super heroes? For a child or a teenager… even as an adult, I am learning so much with this journey with ‘The Jai Jais’. Super-heroes are awesome! and festive occasions offer parents a unique opportunity to sit down and just enjoy the good times with their little ones. Now, what about festivals like Dussehra and Diwali? Well, these festivals too have ‘super-heroes’, in a way that children may not know…. The Jai Jais certainly have a whole host of super heroes. Come and join our adventures.
Maha Navami & Durga Ashtami
by Sunita ShahOn 24th October 2020, Hindus will be celebrating its most popular festivals- Durga Ashtmi and Maha Navmi pooja. Usually, Maha Navami pooja is celebrated on the next day of Durga Ashtami. However, this year, the two festivals are occurring on the same day. “Ashtami” and “Navmi” mean the eighth and the ninth day of Navratri that is dedicated to Goddess Durga.
How Is It Celebrated?
‘Maha Navmi’ pooja is considered to hold so much value that the worship on this day is equivalent to all the nine days of ‘Navratri’. Traditionally every state in India has different and unique ways to celebrate the festival but what remains common is the worship of the mighty Goddess Durga.
10 Weapons Of Goddess Durga and their Significance.
by Sunita Shah
Durga was created by Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and the lesser gods, to slay the buffalo demon Mahisasura. They were otherwise powerless to overcome him, he was creating imbalance in the world. Using their collective energy (shakti), Durga is the true source of their inner power. She is also greater than any of them. Born as a woman and beautiful, Durga presents a fierce menacing form to her enemies. She is usually shown riding a lion and with eight or ten arms, each holding the special weapon of one of the gods, who gave them to her for her battle against the buffalo demon Mahisasura. She had fought with the most treacherous demon ‘Mahisasura’ for nine long days and took nine different forms (NavaDurga) of power to kill him. Good certainly prevailed with her strength and energy.
Navratri with The Jai Jais 2020
by Sunita Shah
The eve before one of the most popular Hindu festivals of 2020. I can’t help but take time out for reflection. Navratri has always been a festival dear to my heart. Maybe it’s because of how much I adore and admire the Hindu Goddesses. Their symbolism, their power “shakti”, what they represent. The empowerment for women from within. The fight of good over evil. Find out how we are celebrating in 2020.
The 9 Goddesses of Navratri
by Sunita Shah
Navratri is about devotion and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. Navratri means nine nights in Sanskrit. It is when all the nine forms of D...