The Dundee Hindu Temple will host its annual Navarathri Pooja from Sunday, October 11, to Tuesday, October 20, inviting devotees and families to join in the 10-day programme of prayer and worship.

Navarathri is a celebration of the “shakti”, or power aspect of God, represented by the universal mother, Durga. The nine nights of worship focus on three aspects of the Supreme Goddess.

The first three nights are dedicated to Mother Durga, the remover of the miseries of life, followed by three nights devoted to Mother Lakshmi, the bestower of spiritual wealth. The final three nights honour Mother Saraswathi, the bestower of wisdom and knowledge.

Daily murthi dressing will take place at 6am, while weekday services will run from 6pm to 7.30pm. Weekend services on Days 1, 7 and 8 will be held from 4pm to 6pm.

Official temple Hawan will take place on Sunday, October 11, Wednesday, October 14, Saturday, October 17, and Tuesday, October 20.

A special Bali Pooja will be performed during the evening service on Tuesday, October 13.

A special programme will take place on Sunday, October 18, beginning at 10am. It will include Chandi Hawan, Kanya Pooja and Saraswathi Pooja. Devotees are asked to bring their own hawan kund, while schoolchildren are encouraged to bring a school book for Mother Saraswathi’s blessing.

Maha Prasad lunch will be served, sponsored by the Jhilmeet family. The evening service will take place from 4pm to 6pm, followed by supper sponsored by Dr Ramdharee and family.

Navarathri will conclude on Tuesday, October 20, with Dashami Pooja and the Visarjan procession. Devotees will depart for the river at 10am for the concluding prayers, followed by Maha Prasad lunch sponsored by Naleeni Rajkumar and family.

Before the celebrations begin, the temple will hold a community cleaning seva on Saturday, October 10, at 10am. Members of the community are encouraged to join and assist with preparing the temple for Navarathri.

The programme will be officiated by priest Guru Umeshvaran Nagiah.