Maha Ashtami Vrata | Maha Nawami Vrata | NRN Day | Gorakhkali Puja

Maha astami
Nine Debis of Nabaratri
Today, on Maha-Ashtami, the eighth day of Navratri, the nine forms of Goddess Durga - Shailaputri, Bramhacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri - are worshiped.

Today, the eighth form of Durga is worshiped according to the rules and regulations of Mahagauri. Nine small stones are worshiped next to the urn established as Ganesha by offering offerings, fruits, etc. to the installed idols of the goddess.

What is done is Mahasthami?
The urns and Jamara established according to the Vedic tradition on Ghatsthapana is worship today. Today, at midnight, at the beginning of Navami, a special worship of the goddess is performed. The worship of weapons and equipment of the Nepal Army and Police is also done according to the rules and regulations and traditions. Today, special worship of Bhadrakali is also performed. Sati Devi burns herself in the fire pit as she cannot hear the condemnation of her husband Mahadev from the mouth of her father Daksha Prajapati. At the same time, knowing this, Bhadrakali appeared as Mahakali on the same day.
After performing the rituals of Mahagauri and Bhadrakali in the form of Shakti, it is customary to offer goats, chickens, ducks, etc. as an offering.

Debate of Bali Pratha (Animal Sacrifice)
There has been widespread protest against the practice, with animal rights groups and the international civil society condemning the practice. Non-violence is certainly a good thing, but along with civilization, people have defined the practice and logic of eating meat in their way.

Whether it's the Hindus' Dashain, or the Christians' Christmas and Thanksgiving turkey birds, or the Muslims' Eid-ul-Fitr goats, we've come to see that human civilization has brought carnivorous customs along with some religions and cultures. It has been found that there has been a decrease in the number of offerings. Especially in Dashain, the custom of cutting the goat and feeding meat to the guests was seen as respect and prestige.

In Sanskrit, Vali means to give up anything. Today, we too can make a vow to become a good human being by sacrificing our anger, passion, jealousy, and pride. Happy Maha Ashtami to all.The year, 2081 BS brings Asthami and Nawami tithi collided in a single day. So today is also a day of Maha nawami.

Maha Navami

ॐ ह्रीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे नमो नमः
The day of Devi Siddhidhatri
Today is the ninth day of Navratri, today is the day of special worship of Mother Siddhidhatri as the ninth power of Goddess Durga and along with her worship of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Today, it is believed that by worshiping Siddhidhatri as a power, one can achieve the perfection that can conquer the whole world and nothing in the world is inaccessible for them. According to the Devi Purana, Shivaji himself has attained perfection due to the infinite mercy of this goddess. The lotus flower is the favorite object of these goddesses sitting over the lion as her wagon. There is a belief that by practicing them, one will attain salvation in both this world and the hereafter, and it is mentioned in the Markandeya Purana that if the Siddhidhatri is pleased and gives a gift as power, all the desires of the seeker will be fulfilled.

Today is also considered as the day of Vishwakarma, the god of construction and handicrafts. Today is the day of most sacrifices. Today, in places including the Nepal Army Headquarters and the Police Headquarters, special worship of tools, weapons, and vehicles, as well as battle Jungi Nishan and Kot worship are performed.

Huge crowds in Shakti Peeths including Dakshinkali, Guheshwari, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, Shobhabhagwati, Vijeshwari, Indrayani, Raktakali, Sankata, Bajrayogini, Bajravarahi is seen today.

Taleju Bhavani temple
Today, the Taleju Bhavani temple in Kathmandu is open to the public only once a year, although corona terror has prevented crowds and gatherings.

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ सिद्धिदात्री रूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमस् ।।

As the Siddhidatri Goddess, Savatra Virajman Ambe (Universally present mother, Omnipresent goddesses), I salute you, give me strength.

Mahanavami's best wishes to all, may Goddess give us all strength and prosperity.

Syakutyaku
After the special worship of Mother Siddhidhatri, the local Newar community of Kathmandu has been celebrating the Goddess since time immemorial by sacrificing goats, chickens, ducks, goats, buffaloes, etc. These days, the locals have been worshiping and sacrificing their family deities and divinities.
Satviks (Vegetarians) offer fruits like coconut, Ash Gourd, banana, sponge gourd, etc. The night between Mahaashtami and Mahanavami is considered as Kalaratri and sacred puja (Gupta Puja) is performed throughout the night.

On the day of Sakutyaku, in some places, chicken, goat, sheep, duck and chicken panchavali are also offered and kot puja and nishan puja are also performed. Today, the local Newa communities also go to the fields with incense, flowers, offerings, etc., and worship the soil and grain plants.

NRN (Nonresidential Nepali) day



Background
With today's Non-Resident Nepali Day, Nepali living in other countries for 6 months or more carrying a Nepali passport for employment, migration, or education are called non-resident Nepali. Also refers to Nepali who have accepted foreign citizenship.

The Non-Resident Nepali Act, 2007, clarifies that members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) do not include Nepali-origin citizens residing in SAARC countries and long-term students living abroad and foreign employees of the Government of Nepal.

Every year, October 11th is declared as a NRN day.

How is it observed?
On this occasion, there is a large presence of non-resident Nepalis from various countries including the president of the association and other officials. This day is celebrated not only in Nepal but also by Nepalese communities abroad in their own way.

NRNA Day 2024
An appeal has also been made on the official website https://nrna.org/ of the non-residential Nepalese organization calling for the celebration of NRN Day from the first week of October to the third week of the year 2024 AD.

Best wishes

Gorakhkali Puja



Baba Gorakh and Gorakhkali vagwati are very important in Nepali history. The meeting between Prithvi Narayan Shah and Baba Gorakh, the vomit that fell on the feet of Prithvi Narayan Shah and the auspiciousness given by Baba Gorakh to Prithvi Narayan Shah that there will be victory wherever he bows is the reason for the energy and strength of Nepal's unification.

The glory of Gorakhnath Baba, a unique devotee of Baba Machindranath, is special in the Sanatan community of Nepal, India and all over the world.

Gorkha, the district of origin of Shah dynasty kings adjacent to the name of Baba Gorakh, and Gorakhkali temple have special importance in the former royal family of Nepal. It should be remembered that in the history of Baba Gorakh, the Gorakh palace and dynasty as well as the Gorakh temple in Pashupati's mrigasthali forest and Baba's 15-year meditation there are also connected.

The Gorkha temple of Mrigasthali is in a state of neglect due to lack of protection and management.
In the Gorkha Darbar area is the shrine of Gorakhkali Devi. This Peetha is considered as the Kool Devi of the Shah Dynasty. It is customary to worship Gorkhali on Paush Krishna Ashtami. Today, a special puja is performed at the Gorakhkali temple in Gorkha.
It has been a tradition for hundreds of years to bring Jamara to Kathmandu on Phulpati day in this Gorakhkali temple. In the post-republic years, such customs have not been given much attention, although the importance of Baba Gorakh and Gorakhkali Devi in ​​the protection of Nepalese land has been incomparable.
Nepali people need more blessings of Baba Gorakh and Gorakhkali Devi to protect cows.

Gorakh Sandesh (Message)
Gorakh message
Guru Gorakhnath says - "The journey of the temples and shrines is Suno Yatra" meaning the pilgrimage of the temples etc. are spiritually meaningless, equal to zero, soulless – unless we are able to spread love to every being in this cosmos.

देवल जात्रा सुंनि जात्रा, तीरथ जात्रा पाणीं ।

अतीत जात्रा सुफल जात्रा, बोलै अमृत वाणी

Yes, the role of temples is very important in terms of religion and culture, but if there is a pilgrimage but there is no faith, there is no emotion and there is no devotion, then what is the use of just doing a "deval pilgrimage"? Do not worship people who worship idols! Run to temple but can't make the house a temple! Worshiping the deity of the temple but unable to awaken divinity in himself! Offering fruit, offerings, etc. to the deity made of stone in a small area and complex, but not accepting that the divinity resides in every human, animal and bird! And unable to serve! Seeing such religious pretentiousness, Guru Gorakhnath made a sharp satire in Khadi language (Prakrit language, folk language, rural language). Glory be to Baba Gorakhnath and Gorakhkali Bhagwati forever.

Infinite love of Gorakhkali Puja.

-Suyog Dhakal