Events at the Ashram
Everyday is a festival in the life of a devotee, but five events are celebrated at Shri Nimishananda Ashram with greater splendour. They are as follows:
Shri Nimishamba Jayanti:
This is the day that the eternal energy manifested as the Divine Mother Shri Nimishamba Devi. It generally comes in April or May. Throughout the day, apart from the regular Chandika Homa and Annadana, several other events are held, like bhajans and satsang by Pujya Guruji. On the following evening, the Divine Mother and Pujya Guruji bless the locality of Rajarajeshwari Nagar as a ceremonial parade is taken through the streets in a divine chariot with the devotees dancing to the accompaniment of lively bhajans and musical instruments with cries of “Jai Matha! Jai Gurudev!”. People come out of their houses to welcome the Divine Mother and Pujya Guruji at their doorstep by offering poojas and performing arati.Guru Poornima :
This day is dedicated to the worship of the Sadguru who is a walking God on earth and in whom all the 330 billion forms of God reside. It begins with the welcoming of Pujya Guruji with the traditional Poorna Kumbha, followed by Pada Pooja and arati. All day long the disciples and devotees of Pujya Guruji sing the praises of their beloved Gurudeva and are blessed in turn by the pearls of wisdom of Pujya Guruji.Shri Nimishananda Jayanti:
This is the day that the ever-compassionate Mother was born on earth as Parama Pujya Shri Shri Nimishananda Guruji. It is a celebration – indeed, the greatest festival for all the devotees and disciples of Pujya Guruji. The followers of Pujya Guruji offer new bhajans with love and gratitude at His Lotus Feet and share their experiences with everyone present.Navaratri:
These nine nights of bliss are a feast to the starved soul, as on each night, Pujya Guruji conducts special satsangs, explaining the significance of the Divine Mother in various forms. Pujya Guruji also imparts sadhana techniques (provide link) to tap the dormant cosmic energy within us. After the vanquishing of our internal enemies with the help of these techniques on nine nights, the tenth and final day of victory is celebrated as Vijayadashami.Shivaratri:
On this night of supreme awareness, the devotee is awake the whole night and worships the Lord of Awareness – Shiva – in diverse ways from 6 pm to 6 am. The night is divided into four parts called javas, and Lord Mouktikeshwara is bathed continuously with water and holy ash. Simultaneously, Pujya Guruji bathes the atma lingas of the devotees with His divine discourse and sadhana techniques.
