Navratri Celebrations at the Gauri Siddhivinayak Temple

HOUSTON: Navratri is a nine nights (ten days) Hindu festival, celebrated in the autumn every year. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of India. In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja is synonymous with Navratri, wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon to help restore Dharma. In the northern and western states, the festival is synonymous with “Rama Leela” and Dussehra that celebrates the battle and victory of god Rama over the demon king Ravana. In southern states, the victory of different goddesses, of Rama or Saraswati is celebrated. In all cases, the common theme is the battle and victory of Good over Evil based on a regionally famous epic or legend such as the Ramayana or the Devi Mahatmya.

The Gauri Siddhivinayak temple celebrated Ashwin Navaratri on Friday, September 29, which was attended by over 300 devotees. The navami pooja started around 3:30 pm, which was followed by havan, and aarti. Mahaprasad was served after aarti. Pandit Pradip Pandya wants to thank all devotees for their support and for attending the pooja. The temple is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and everyday aarti is performed at 6:30pm.  The Gauri Siddhivinayak temple is a non-profit 501(C) 3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. Gauri Siddhivinayak Temple of Houston is located at 5645 Hillcroft Ave Suite: 701 Houston, TX 77036

For further information or to participate in pooja, sponsorship or for volunteering at the temple call Pandit Pradip Pandya at 832-466-9868. Website: www.siddhivinayakhouston.org, Email: siddhivinayakhouston@gmail.com