During Navaratri, the energy of Sri Durgadevi is intensely available to all. Navaratri is the festival of worship of Goddess Shakti (feminine manifestation of cosmic energy). Navaratri means "nine nights". The Goddess fought evil demons over nine days and nights and destroyed them on the tenth day. Therefore, the Navaratri festival is observed by contemplating on God for ten days, cleansing one's self of all impurities, in order to experience the divinity within.

The celebrations continued at the Nithyannda Vedic Temple, Los Angeles (Montclair) on Sept 19 with flag hoisting in the morning. During the evening, significance of the Navaratri festival was explained and stories from Devi Mahatyam were told. In addtion a beautiful puja was completed followed by Maha Arathi and Maha Prasad. After dinner, devotees and visitors enjoyed Garba Dancing with live traditional Indian music and arathi for Devi.

Following are pictures from the grand Navaratri Celebrations on Sept 19, 2009