About Sevas
Every new year begins with Gudi Padva pooja with Darshan Seva. On every auspicious occasion, Panchamrutha Abhishekha (i.e holy bath to deity with milk, ghee, curd, sugar, honey and tender coconut water) is performed. At every Darshan seva, devotees seek solutions for their problems with divine oracle. It is firmly believed that devotees following divine advice diligently get their wishes fulfilled. After the Gudi Padva pooja, panchanga (calmanac) for the year is read and full year’s programme is noted.

 

On first Saturday of every month, Monthly pooja is conducted at the registered office of the Samiti with Darshan seva. The pooja is preceded by reading of Durgashaptashati parayan by Vedic followed by Kumkumarchana seva.

 

On ninth day of Jyestha month, the Samiti celebrates Murthy Pratishvardhanti day. This is to celebrate the anniversary of installation of Panchloha (alloy of 5 metals) idol of Goddess Bhadrakali Mahalaxmi Durga Honnamma at the Samiti’s registered office in 2010. The celebrations begin with Shiyale Abhishekha (Tender Coconut bath to the deity). The current year 2012 being Silver Jubilee celebrations year, Kalash Abhishekha (holy water in copper utensils) was also performed. This is followed by various offerings to the Goddess by way of Neerikshana & Pattakanike and Madhyana Pooja with Darshan Seva to the deity. The Samiti distributes free notebooks and stationery to school children on the occasion to begin the new academic year with blessings of the Goddess. In the evening, Asthavadana Seva (vedic hymns followed intermittently by eight different types of musical instruments) is performed during Pushpa (flower) Pooja .

 

On twenty seventh day of Ashadh month, the Samiti celebrates erstwhile Pratishtavardhanti day (i.e anniversary of Samiti’s establishment in 1987 with image of the deity at the Samiti’s registered office). The image was replaced by Panchloha idol in 2010 which anniversary is being celebrated as Murthy Pratishtavardhanti day. To commemorate the erstwhile Pratishtavardhanti, a special pooja called Vishesha Kumkumarchana is performed in the evening by married women by offering kumkum (vermillion) and flowers to decorated oil lamps amidst chanting of vedic mantras by priests.


At midnight of eighth day of Shravan month, pooja is performed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna with chanting of verses in praise of Lord Krishna.


On fourth day of Bhadrapad month, pooja is performed to celebrate festival of Lord Ganesh (Ganesh Chaturthi).


The most significant annual event of the Samiti is GSB Sarvajanik Navaratriutsav Celebrations during the first to tenth day of Ashwin month. The celebrations are conducted at a bigger venue in the vicinity viz. Shree Dandeshwar Mandir Sabhagruha, Shankar Mandir Compound, Khar Danda. The first day begins early with morning pooja at Samiti’s registered office and the deities are brought to the Navaratriutsav venue in a procession. Before installing the deity at the venue, pooja is also performed at Shankar Mandir. The celebrations begin with Ganahoma i.e offerings to Lord Ganesha through Agni (fire) to seek his blessings for the successful conduct of the celebrations. Every day Navachandika Havana is performed on behalf of devotee which begins at 8.00 am in the morning and concludes at 1.30 pm in the afternoon. This is an important ritual which includes chanting of verses from Durgashaptashati accompanied by various offerings to Goddess through Agni. Simultaneously, pooja is performed to Goddess with Panchamrutha Abhishekha in the morning. Devotees also offer Tulabhar Seva by offering coconuts, sugar, rice or any other item equal to their weight to the Goddess. The Chandika Havana is followed by Mahapooja in the afternoon with Darshan seva. In the evening, bhajans (i.e devotional songs) are sung in praise of Goddess by bhajan group invited by the Samiti. Also, Durga Namaskar Seva is performed on behalf of devotee. This seva involves worshipping an oil lamp decorated with saree and flower garlands. Devotees perform 108 pradakshinas (revolutions) around the decorated oil lamp amidst chanting of vedic verses by priests. Further, Nav Durga Devi Ranga Pooja is performed in the evening on behalf of devotees which involves offering of several items like coconuts, fruits, etc set on banana leaves to Goddess. Several cultural programmes like devotional music compositions by artists, dramas, bhajan singing/fancy dress/dance competitions, etc are also organized in the evening. Each day concludes with Pushpa pooja with Darshan seva. Special pooja is conducted on Lalita Panchami (fifth) day of the celebrations. Further, on Asthami (eighth) day which is the most auspicious day of the festival, the Chandika Havana is performed by the Samiti on behalf of the entire society for the prosperity and well being of the entire society. The Mahila Mandal (ladies wing) of the Samiti organizes Haldi Kumkum, a special event for married women during one of the days of the festival. A voluntary blood donation camp is also organized on one day towards fulfillment of social obligation to the society. The celebrations conclude on tenth day in the afternoon with Vijayadashami pooja and the deity is taken back to the Samiti’s registered office in a gala procession. Every Navaratriutsav celebration is followed by a get-together of all volunteers to celebrate the successful conclusion of the festival and also exchange thoughts and feedback for improvements.


The Samiti performs seva on the fifteenth day of Ashvin month at Shree Durga Honnamma Devi Moolsthan Temple at Siddhapura (near Kundapura in Karnataka state) which is attended by some of the committee members of the Samiti. The Samiti also participates in Chandika Havana performed on fifteenth day of Margasheesh month at Moolsthan temple.


During the entire month of Kartik, Deeparadhana Seva is performed in the evening on behalf of devotees by lighting of oil lamps. Ashtavadana Seva is performed on _____ day on behalf of the Samiti.


On the fourth day of Maagh month, Ganesh Jayanti is celebrated commencing with Ganahoma and Shiyale Abhishekha in the morning followed by Madhyana pooja in the afternoon and Ranga Pooja to Lord Ganesh in the evening on behalf of devotees.