CHANDI HOMAM - 04th JUNE 2011
The full HD video recording of the Chandi Homam is uploaded in YouTube and can be viewed by clicking on the links below !
CHANDI HOMAM-01 (Ganapati Puja)
CHANDI HOMAM-02 (Sankalpam, Kalasha Puja, Varuna Puja)
CHANDI HOMAM-03 (Punyahavachanam, Pranapratishta)
CHANDI HOMAM-04 (Shodasha Matruka Puja, Shapodhara, Utkeelanam, Jagrut Karnam)
CHANDI HOMAM-05 (Devi Kavacham, Argala Stothram, Keelakam, Chandi Navavarna Puja)
CHANDI HOMAM-06 (Tantrokta Ratri Suktam, Pradhana Devata Avahanadi Homams)
CHANDI HOMAM-07 (Navakshari Nyasam & Homam, Saptashati Nyasam)
CHANDI HOMAM-08 (1st Chapter - Madhu Kaitabha Vadham)
CHANDI HOMAM-09 (2nd Chapter - Mahishasura Sainya Vadham + 3rd Chapter Start)
CHANDI HOMAM-10 (3rd-4th Chapters - Mahishasura Vadham and Shakradaya Stuthi)
CHANDI HOMAM-11 (5th Chapter- Devi Doota Samvadam / Tantrokta Devi Suktam)
CHANDI HOMAM- 12 (6th, 7th, 8th Chapters - Dhoomralochana Vadham, Chanda Munda Vadham and Raktabeeja Vadham...beginning)
CHANDI HOMAM-13 (8th,9th Chapters - Rakta Beeja Vadham, Nishumbha Vadham)
CHANDI HOMAM-14 (10th, 11th Chapters - Shumbha Vadham, Narayani Stuthi)
CHANDI HOMAM -15 (12th ,13th Chapters - Phala Stuthi, Suratha Vaishyayor Varapradanam)
CHANDI HOMAM -16 (Closing Saptashati Nyasam, Navakshari Homam, Durga Sukta Homam)
CHANDI HOMAM -17 (Purnahuti, Vastra Samarpanam, Vasordhara, Kali Maa Kalashabhisekham)
CHANDI HOMAM -18 (Kshama Prarthana)
https://picasaweb.google.com/114583979878813183736/ChandiHomamJune042011#
CHANDI HOMAM-01 (Ganapati Puja)
CHANDI HOMAM-02 (Sankalpam, Kalasha Puja, Varuna Puja)
CHANDI HOMAM-03 (Punyahavachanam, Pranapratishta)
CHANDI HOMAM-04 (Shodasha Matruka Puja, Shapodhara, Utkeelanam, Jagrut Karnam)
CHANDI HOMAM-05 (Devi Kavacham, Argala Stothram, Keelakam, Chandi Navavarna Puja)
CHANDI HOMAM-06 (Tantrokta Ratri Suktam, Pradhana Devata Avahanadi Homams)
CHANDI HOMAM-07 (Navakshari Nyasam & Homam, Saptashati Nyasam)
CHANDI HOMAM-08 (1st Chapter - Madhu Kaitabha Vadham)
CHANDI HOMAM-09 (2nd Chapter - Mahishasura Sainya Vadham + 3rd Chapter Start)
CHANDI HOMAM-10 (3rd-4th Chapters - Mahishasura Vadham and Shakradaya Stuthi)
CHANDI HOMAM-11 (5th Chapter- Devi Doota Samvadam / Tantrokta Devi Suktam)
CHANDI HOMAM- 12 (6th, 7th, 8th Chapters - Dhoomralochana Vadham, Chanda Munda Vadham and Raktabeeja Vadham...beginning)
CHANDI HOMAM-13 (8th,9th Chapters - Rakta Beeja Vadham, Nishumbha Vadham)
CHANDI HOMAM-14 (10th, 11th Chapters - Shumbha Vadham, Narayani Stuthi)
CHANDI HOMAM -15 (12th ,13th Chapters - Phala Stuthi, Suratha Vaishyayor Varapradanam)
CHANDI HOMAM -16 (Closing Saptashati Nyasam, Navakshari Homam, Durga Sukta Homam)
CHANDI HOMAM -17 (Purnahuti, Vastra Samarpanam, Vasordhara, Kali Maa Kalashabhisekham)
CHANDI HOMAM -18 (Kshama Prarthana)
https://picasaweb.google.com/114583979878813183736/ChandiHomamJune042011#
(Question for viewers : Do you see in the Agni what I and many others saw later when the picture was published? Is it a figment of imagination or very true? Please let me know !)
How it all Happened !
The Sree Dakshina Kalika Devi temple in Brampton (181 Rutherford Road South) is a beautiful Kali Maa temple. It was started single-handedly by Savitri Devi, who is an ardent Kali Maa devotee from Guyana in the West Indies. During Vasantha Navaratri of 2011 in spring, Sree Chandru Gurukkal deputed me to the temple to perform a small Devi puja prior to the main program of that evening i.e. Devi bhajans. I performed the Sree Chandi Navavarna puja which was well-received. I felt an instant attraction for this temple due to the presence of the chief deities, Kali Maa and Durga Maa, and I felt a strange connection to my Kolkata days. Subsequently, I was invited to perform a puja on Hanuman Jayanti day and I performed a Pancha Mukhi Hanuman puja and homam, which was greatly satisfying for me. During these occasions, Savitri Devi spoke to me as to how she had to run the temple single-handedly, I suggested to her as why we should not do grand Sree Chandi Homam/Havan to raise funds for the temple. She agreed to the suggestion immediately. My wife Sridevi Gayathri also supported the idea and Umaand Murali, our close family friend too were very supportive. I informed Sree Chandru Gurukkal and he immediately blessed me and gave me permission to go ahead. He also magnanimously offered his time and temple’s resources for the Chandi Homam. Prior to conducting the Chandi Homam, I felt a Sree Mahaganapati Homam should be performed. As divine luck would have it, the day we chose was May14,2011 – Shiva Pradosham day ! My friends Ram, Gopinath and our dear Sukanya (who left for her heavenly abode in the last week of May 2011) and Shankarjoined in and helped us a great deal. Sri Vasu Thirth Swamiji was also there to give his blessings and support for our endeavour. We performed a Sree Mahaganapati and Sree Rudra Homam on May 14, 2011 and having obtained the blessings of Mahaganapati and Samba Parameshwara, we felt very confident about the upcoming Sri Chandi Homam.
https://picasaweb.google.com/114583979878813183736/MahaganapatiHomamAndRudraHomam14thMay2011#
For me, it was a dream happening before my eyes !My very first Chandi Homam ! Of course, I had participated in many Chandi Homams by leading the chanting along with my wife Sridevi Gayathri and our close family friend Uma Murali (who was in 1st batch of students) , but to be afforded an opportunity to perform the homam itself - and that too in a Kali/Durga temple was surely a boon and a sign from the Divine ! What gave me immense happiness and joy was that the group of friends I had trained to chant Devi Mahatmyam over 3 years would be leading the chanting. For them too, it would be a fantastic opportunity to participate and lead the recital. I had trained approximately 75 members by then and we had a representation of around 20 on that day, given their prior commitments and engagements. Had all of them come on that day, it would have been even a greater and grander sight to behold ! Since the majority of the students were ladies, it was only appropriate that a Chandi Homam should have them leading the chanting. It has always appalled me that while we traditionally worship Devi as the feminine principle and as Shakti and adore her as the “Divine Mother”, in typical traditional settings, women are rarely allowed in the actual performance of the puja/homam. Of course, various reasons are given, but I personally do not believe in them. My desire to see women in the forefront of such religious occasions in the actual performance of the puja/homam was fulfilled to a great extent.
My friends responded enthusiastically and extended their support. When I suggested that we should take up responsibility for bearing the material costs of the Homam, there were offers aplenty. We drew up a very detailed list and items like lemon garlands, ghee, purnahuti offerings, fruits, flowers, Ganga water, Rose water etc. was snapped up eagerly! I can truly state that this Homam was conducted by our Devi Mahatmyam group of GTA that had gathered so devotedly every Friday night in the past 3 years to learn the chants. Sponsors also started springing up and there were offers to prepare Neivedhyam items too. Chandru Gurukkal provided vital items for the Homam and his friend Kumar Gurukkal created the beautiful face of Sree Chandi Mahalakshmi in sandalwood paste on the coconut for the main Kalasham ! He was quite unwell on that day but was adamant to complete the job seeing our enthusiasm. Our special thanks to him.
On June 4th, I, Gayathri, Uma, Murali, Kavita Senthil and others went early in the morning to get the kalashams , puja and homam items ready. We worked to clockwork precision starting first with setting up the kalashams. Savitri Devi flew in fresh mango leaves, Neem leaves and Doorva grass from the West Indies ! Soon the main peetham and the kalashas were looking very beautiful and divine. Instead of tying a saree around the 8 kalashas surrounding the “pradhana” (main) kalasha, I tried a variation of dressing them up in skirts (pavadais) and that made a very pretty change indeed and was well-liked by all. Then we proceeded to setup the Homa Kundam and then the purnahuti bundles that were made carefully in the prescribed manner for each of the 13 chapters of the Devi Mahatmyam. A final purnahuti bundle was also created followed by a separate plate for keeping the silk saree for “vastra samarpanam”, a mangal sutra and a flower garland. In the meantime,Jayshree Bala, bless her soul, brought us delicious breakfast ! Rajam Krishnan had typed the Chandi Homam text in Sanskrit and presented me a copy which I used on that day. A grand effort indeed! This text will be shared freely in the website and will be made available to all.
Chandru Gurukkal was a little unwell due to his recent trip to Los Angeles and his exertions at the Ati Rudram celebrations in the last week of May but he came in time to bless the start of the Puja and Homam, for which we will be ever grateful to him. It gave a lot of strength and encouragement to everyone around. He is a master of the Chandi Homam and to have the Guru’s presence was most encouraging. Vasu Thirth Swamiji was also present and gave his blessings to all present.
My idea was to conduct a Devi Puja simultaneously with the Chandi Homam and Chandru Gurukkal approved the suggestion. I requestedSri Kalyanasubramaniam and his son Sriram to conduct the Devi Puja even as I would be performing the Chandi Homam and they kindly agreed. There was a request for the ladies to come dressed in“madisar” (traditional 9 yard saree) and for the men to wear their dhoti in “panchakacham” style and most agreed to the suggestion.
We commenced with a Mahaganapati puja followed by a Mahasankalpam and Kalasha Puja, Varuna Puja and Punyahavachanam. Soon after, Sree Chandru Gurukkal directed the ladies to commence chanting the preliminary portion of Devi Mahatmyam (Siddha Kunjika stothram to Tantrokta Ratri Suktam) while he commenced the Chandi Navavarna puja with Kalyan and Sriram and directed me to commence the Agni Mukham. As planned, just as the ladies completed chanting of the Tantrokta Ratri Suktam, the Chandi Navavarna puja was completed by Kalyan and Sriram and I had completed the Agni Mukham.Then, we followed up with some preliminary homams including Ganapati, Matruka Devis and Pradhana Devata Homams (Navagraha, Dikapalakas, Peeta etc.) The Navakshari nyasam/homamfollowed along with the Saptashati nyasam and we were on our way ! Chandru Gurukkal took his leave as he was a little unwell but his grand gesture of being there for our support can never be forgotten.
The ladies were in grand form and did a splendid job. The chanting was clear, in unison and highly elevating. Professor Ananthanarayanan was present and he expressed his amazement at the mastery of the ladies on the chanting of Devi Mahatmyam ! I felt immense pride at their confidence and their hard work showed in the fluency with which they lead the chanting! The group has now some excellent, leading chanters and it is my very firm belief that this group can easily form multiple groups and lead the chanting of Devi Mahatmyam in different temples at the same time during Navaratri.
I was supported at the homa kundam by Kumar, Ganesh (the temple priest) and Murali. At the homa kundam, I was offering gheewhile Kumar offered dravyas/herbs, Ganesh was offering puffed ricewhile Murali was offeringChakrapongal (“gudaannam” or jaggery rice). For each chapter, the sponsor came up and offered purnahuti. The final purnahuti was offered by Savitri Devi. The divine flames of theChandikagni in the homa kundam accepted all the offerings, kindly bestowing blessings on all gathered.
The presence of Mrs.Rama Subramaniam was special as she was the one who was instrumental in encouraging me to teach Devi Mahatmyam, when she liked my recital (along with my wife) of Devi Mahatmyam at her home during the Navratri of 2009. The presence ofBhaskaran, Mythili, Dr. Vaidyanathan, Gopal, Krishnan, Ranganathan, Vimala, Ramani, their parents and in-laws and other friends and devotees was all a great morale booster.
We completed the Chandi Homam and proceeded to do “vastra samarpanam” (offering of saree) and“Vasordhara” (constant flow of ghee into the Homa Kundam). These were spectacular and divine events. The ease and grace with which the grand flames of the Chandikagni - to the chant of Sri Suktam - accepted the saree offered, fold by fold, was seen to be believed. The magical chants of Chamakam accompanied the Vasordhara and the grand flames of Chandikagni rose as a pillar and consumed all the offerings, while bestowing boons on all devotees. Once the uttarangam (concluding)requirements of the Homam were completed, we proceeded to conduct Abhisekham for Kali Maa in an inner sanctorum with each sponsor carrying a Kalasham and performing the Abhishekham to the chant of Durga Suktam, Sri Suktam and Prokshana Mantras. The beat of the drums and ringing of the bells created an electric atmosphere. A grand archana was conducted for Dakshina Kalika Devi. A Vatuka Puja, Kumari Puja and Suvasini Puja was also performed.Kalyan completed the Neivedhyam offerings for Devi. The abhisekham water,“raksha” (holy ashes) from the Homa Kundam and Mahaprasadam was offered to all devotees. Finally, the grand Chandi Homam came to an end. We proceeded to the sumptuous mahaprasadam laid out and had a great time discussing with each other the wonderful grace of Kali Maa that helped us conduct the Chandi Homam and Devi puja in such a smooth fashion !
Raj Pai did a magnificent job with his camera and we are able to enjoy and relive those great moments only because of his deft and committed camera work.
I would like to acknowledge the following team members and friends (in random order) who helped us to perform the Chandi Homam and Devi Puja. Our apologies, if we have inadvertently omitted to mention anyone and are always willing to repair if information is made available on anyone whom we have missed to thank :
https://picasaweb.google.com/114583979878813183736/MahaganapatiHomamAndRudraHomam14thMay2011#
For me, it was a dream happening before my eyes !My very first Chandi Homam ! Of course, I had participated in many Chandi Homams by leading the chanting along with my wife Sridevi Gayathri and our close family friend Uma Murali (who was in 1st batch of students) , but to be afforded an opportunity to perform the homam itself - and that too in a Kali/Durga temple was surely a boon and a sign from the Divine ! What gave me immense happiness and joy was that the group of friends I had trained to chant Devi Mahatmyam over 3 years would be leading the chanting. For them too, it would be a fantastic opportunity to participate and lead the recital. I had trained approximately 75 members by then and we had a representation of around 20 on that day, given their prior commitments and engagements. Had all of them come on that day, it would have been even a greater and grander sight to behold ! Since the majority of the students were ladies, it was only appropriate that a Chandi Homam should have them leading the chanting. It has always appalled me that while we traditionally worship Devi as the feminine principle and as Shakti and adore her as the “Divine Mother”, in typical traditional settings, women are rarely allowed in the actual performance of the puja/homam. Of course, various reasons are given, but I personally do not believe in them. My desire to see women in the forefront of such religious occasions in the actual performance of the puja/homam was fulfilled to a great extent.
My friends responded enthusiastically and extended their support. When I suggested that we should take up responsibility for bearing the material costs of the Homam, there were offers aplenty. We drew up a very detailed list and items like lemon garlands, ghee, purnahuti offerings, fruits, flowers, Ganga water, Rose water etc. was snapped up eagerly! I can truly state that this Homam was conducted by our Devi Mahatmyam group of GTA that had gathered so devotedly every Friday night in the past 3 years to learn the chants. Sponsors also started springing up and there were offers to prepare Neivedhyam items too. Chandru Gurukkal provided vital items for the Homam and his friend Kumar Gurukkal created the beautiful face of Sree Chandi Mahalakshmi in sandalwood paste on the coconut for the main Kalasham ! He was quite unwell on that day but was adamant to complete the job seeing our enthusiasm. Our special thanks to him.
On June 4th, I, Gayathri, Uma, Murali, Kavita Senthil and others went early in the morning to get the kalashams , puja and homam items ready. We worked to clockwork precision starting first with setting up the kalashams. Savitri Devi flew in fresh mango leaves, Neem leaves and Doorva grass from the West Indies ! Soon the main peetham and the kalashas were looking very beautiful and divine. Instead of tying a saree around the 8 kalashas surrounding the “pradhana” (main) kalasha, I tried a variation of dressing them up in skirts (pavadais) and that made a very pretty change indeed and was well-liked by all. Then we proceeded to setup the Homa Kundam and then the purnahuti bundles that were made carefully in the prescribed manner for each of the 13 chapters of the Devi Mahatmyam. A final purnahuti bundle was also created followed by a separate plate for keeping the silk saree for “vastra samarpanam”, a mangal sutra and a flower garland. In the meantime,Jayshree Bala, bless her soul, brought us delicious breakfast ! Rajam Krishnan had typed the Chandi Homam text in Sanskrit and presented me a copy which I used on that day. A grand effort indeed! This text will be shared freely in the website and will be made available to all.
Chandru Gurukkal was a little unwell due to his recent trip to Los Angeles and his exertions at the Ati Rudram celebrations in the last week of May but he came in time to bless the start of the Puja and Homam, for which we will be ever grateful to him. It gave a lot of strength and encouragement to everyone around. He is a master of the Chandi Homam and to have the Guru’s presence was most encouraging. Vasu Thirth Swamiji was also present and gave his blessings to all present.
My idea was to conduct a Devi Puja simultaneously with the Chandi Homam and Chandru Gurukkal approved the suggestion. I requestedSri Kalyanasubramaniam and his son Sriram to conduct the Devi Puja even as I would be performing the Chandi Homam and they kindly agreed. There was a request for the ladies to come dressed in“madisar” (traditional 9 yard saree) and for the men to wear their dhoti in “panchakacham” style and most agreed to the suggestion.
We commenced with a Mahaganapati puja followed by a Mahasankalpam and Kalasha Puja, Varuna Puja and Punyahavachanam. Soon after, Sree Chandru Gurukkal directed the ladies to commence chanting the preliminary portion of Devi Mahatmyam (Siddha Kunjika stothram to Tantrokta Ratri Suktam) while he commenced the Chandi Navavarna puja with Kalyan and Sriram and directed me to commence the Agni Mukham. As planned, just as the ladies completed chanting of the Tantrokta Ratri Suktam, the Chandi Navavarna puja was completed by Kalyan and Sriram and I had completed the Agni Mukham.Then, we followed up with some preliminary homams including Ganapati, Matruka Devis and Pradhana Devata Homams (Navagraha, Dikapalakas, Peeta etc.) The Navakshari nyasam/homamfollowed along with the Saptashati nyasam and we were on our way ! Chandru Gurukkal took his leave as he was a little unwell but his grand gesture of being there for our support can never be forgotten.
The ladies were in grand form and did a splendid job. The chanting was clear, in unison and highly elevating. Professor Ananthanarayanan was present and he expressed his amazement at the mastery of the ladies on the chanting of Devi Mahatmyam ! I felt immense pride at their confidence and their hard work showed in the fluency with which they lead the chanting! The group has now some excellent, leading chanters and it is my very firm belief that this group can easily form multiple groups and lead the chanting of Devi Mahatmyam in different temples at the same time during Navaratri.
I was supported at the homa kundam by Kumar, Ganesh (the temple priest) and Murali. At the homa kundam, I was offering gheewhile Kumar offered dravyas/herbs, Ganesh was offering puffed ricewhile Murali was offeringChakrapongal (“gudaannam” or jaggery rice). For each chapter, the sponsor came up and offered purnahuti. The final purnahuti was offered by Savitri Devi. The divine flames of theChandikagni in the homa kundam accepted all the offerings, kindly bestowing blessings on all gathered.
The presence of Mrs.Rama Subramaniam was special as she was the one who was instrumental in encouraging me to teach Devi Mahatmyam, when she liked my recital (along with my wife) of Devi Mahatmyam at her home during the Navratri of 2009. The presence ofBhaskaran, Mythili, Dr. Vaidyanathan, Gopal, Krishnan, Ranganathan, Vimala, Ramani, their parents and in-laws and other friends and devotees was all a great morale booster.
We completed the Chandi Homam and proceeded to do “vastra samarpanam” (offering of saree) and“Vasordhara” (constant flow of ghee into the Homa Kundam). These were spectacular and divine events. The ease and grace with which the grand flames of the Chandikagni - to the chant of Sri Suktam - accepted the saree offered, fold by fold, was seen to be believed. The magical chants of Chamakam accompanied the Vasordhara and the grand flames of Chandikagni rose as a pillar and consumed all the offerings, while bestowing boons on all devotees. Once the uttarangam (concluding)requirements of the Homam were completed, we proceeded to conduct Abhisekham for Kali Maa in an inner sanctorum with each sponsor carrying a Kalasham and performing the Abhishekham to the chant of Durga Suktam, Sri Suktam and Prokshana Mantras. The beat of the drums and ringing of the bells created an electric atmosphere. A grand archana was conducted for Dakshina Kalika Devi. A Vatuka Puja, Kumari Puja and Suvasini Puja was also performed.Kalyan completed the Neivedhyam offerings for Devi. The abhisekham water,“raksha” (holy ashes) from the Homa Kundam and Mahaprasadam was offered to all devotees. Finally, the grand Chandi Homam came to an end. We proceeded to the sumptuous mahaprasadam laid out and had a great time discussing with each other the wonderful grace of Kali Maa that helped us conduct the Chandi Homam and Devi puja in such a smooth fashion !
Raj Pai did a magnificent job with his camera and we are able to enjoy and relive those great moments only because of his deft and committed camera work.
I would like to acknowledge the following team members and friends (in random order) who helped us to perform the Chandi Homam and Devi Puja. Our apologies, if we have inadvertently omitted to mention anyone and are always willing to repair if information is made available on anyone whom we have missed to thank :
