By Mina Juneja
Photos by Bharat Rao and Ashutosh Kak
HOUSTON: Navaratri (literally “nine nights”) is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother in her various forms. It is a time for devotion, reflection, dance, music, and communal celebration. On Oct.3, 2025, Chinmaya Mission Houston celebrated Navaratri with a spiritual, cultural, and social event for its members and invited guests followed by an elaborate dinner for all members. The event was held at the Gujarati Samaj Houston where the huge gathering could be accommodated.
Chinmaya Mission places emphasis not just on the festive dance and social elements, but on the inner significance of Navaratri. As explained by our revered Acharya Gaurang Nanavaty, the worship of the Divine Mother unfolds in three sacred phases.
- The first three nights are dedicated to Goddess Durga, who symbolizes the power to overcome tamasic (dull) tendencies such as ignorance, inertia, greed, and negativity.
- The next three nights are for Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of prosperity, purity, and righteousness.
- The final three nights honor Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of wisdom, creativity, knowledge, and harmony.
Thus, this festival is also an internal journey: purifying the mind, cultivating virtue, and seeking higher wisdom.
The Chinmaya community in Houston gathered to combine devotion (bhakti) with music, dance, and fellowship in this annual event. This year’s event was vibrant, meaningful, and well-organized.
The celebration began with a social hour, giving participants a chance to gather, reconnect, and prepare for the evening. The invocation set the devotional mood, followed by rhythmic clapping and dance segments (Tran Taali, Beh Taali) that gradually rose in energy and unity. A lead‐follow fun dance helped even newcomers get comfortable. By mid-evening, the Arati ritual sanctified the gathering, bridging the worldly and spiritual elements. The major portion of the night was devoted to Raas / Garba, where devotees expressed their joy and reverence through dance in circular formations around the sacred space. The evening concluded with a closing prayer, leaving participants with a sense of calm fulfillment.
Reflecting on this annual Navaratri celebration, itbridges generations. The event brings together children, youth, parents, and elderly alike. Many young Bala Vihar students (educational program at CMH) participate in performances or dance, which help them connect with our cultural heritage. Also,unlike purely social dance nights, the CMH Navaratri balances devotional elements (invocation, aarti, chanting) with the joyful dance (Garba/Raas). This helps keep the spiritual focus alive even in festive mood.
Further, such celebrations strengthen bonds among community members. Volunteers collaborate on decorations, music, logistics, and hosting responsibilities.For many Indian-origin families in Houston, such festivals help sustain cultural roots, pass traditions to younger generations, and create a spiritual home away from one’s native region.
In essence, Navaratri at Chinmaya Mission Houston teaches us that the real dance is the dance of life—where every step can bring us closer to the Divine. Each beat of the Garba reminds us to keep our hearts pure, our minds steady, and our actions kind. When we celebrate together with faith and love, we discover that the true victory of Navaratri is not outside but within us. HARI OM.
For more information about Chinmaya Mission Houston, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya, and its activities please visit www.chinmayahouston.org, www.saumyakasi.org or call temple 281 568 1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233
