VMCC

Mata ki Chowki
2026-10-16 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | St. James Episcopal Church, 4 St James Place, Essex Jct., VT, 05452, United States
Mata Ki Chowki is a devotional gathering or event held to honor and worship Maa Durga, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati, or other forms of Shakti (divine feminine power). The word “Chowki” refers to the platform or seat where the deity’s idol or picture is placed, and the event typically involves prayers, bhajans (devotional songs), kirtans, and the recitation of religious texts.
1. Celebration of Divine Feminine Energy:
•It is a way to honor the divine feminine and seek blessings for well-being, peace, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles.
2.Spiritual Upliftment:
•The occasion is often associated with deep devotion and spiritual practices to enhance one’s faith and connection to the divine.
3.Community Bonding:
•A Mata Kee Chowki is often held in community settings where friends and family gather to participate in the prayers, share prasad (blessed food), and celebrate together.
Common Traditions
1.Mata Ki Chowki During Navratri:
•Mata Kee Chowki is especially popular during Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to Maa Durga. It is believed that participating in Mata Kee Chowki during Navratri brings special blessings of health, wealth, and prosperity.
2.On Specific Occasions:
•It is also celebrated on important occasions like Dussehra, Makar Sankranti, or any special occasion where devotees seek the blessings of the goddess.
3.Chowki for Specific Deities:
•Some people organize Mata Kee Chowki for specific forms of the goddess, such as Maa Durga, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Saraswati, or Maa Kali, depending on their needs or spiritual focus.

Bathukamma
2026-10-17 16:00 - 21:00
Bathukamma is a vibrant and traditional festival celebrated primarily in the Indian state of Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh. It honors the goddess Gauri (a form of Maa Parvati) and is observed during the Telugu calendar month of Bhadrapada, typically coinciding with the Hindu festival of Durga Ashtami and lasts for nine days, ending on Dussehra. The name “Bathukamma” translates to “Mother Goddess come alive,” symbolizing life, growth, and fertility.
Significance of Bathukamma
1.Celebration of Motherhood and Fertility:
•Bathukamma symbolizes the worship of Gauri, the goddess of life, who is believed to bring prosperity, good health, and fertility. The festival is an expression of love and gratitude towards the goddess for nurturing life on Earth.
2.A Harvest Festival:
•Bathukamma also marks the beginning of the harvest season, symbolizing nature’s bounty and beauty. It is associated with the agricultural practices and the renewal of life and vegetation.
3.Female Empowerment:
•The festival is largely a women’s festival, where women play an active role in the celebrations, symbolizing their power and significance in maintaining balance in the world.
Spiritual Significance
•Celebrating Nature’s Bounty: Bathukamma honors the cycle of nature, with flowers representing the beauty and growth of life. It serves as a reminder of the interconnection between humans and the natural world.
•Blessings of the Goddess: Through the worship of Gauri, devotees seek blessings for prosperity, good health, and overall well-being. It is believed that worshiping her during Bathukamma brings peace and harmony to the family.

Dussehra
2026-10-24 14:00 - 21:00
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the most important and widely celebrated Hindu festivals. It marks the victory of good over evil and symbolizes the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, as well as the victory of Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. It typically falls on the tenth day of Ashvin (September–October) in the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is the culmination of the Navratri festival.
Significance of Dussehra
1.Victory of Lord Rama over Ravana:
•Dussehra commemorates the day when Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, defeated the demon king Ravana and rescued his wife Sita after a long battle. The story of Rama’s victory over Ravana is recounted in the Ramayana, where Ravana, symbolizing ego, pride, and evil, is vanquished by Rama, the embodiment of dharma (righteousness).
2.Victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura:
•Dussehra also celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. According to the legend, Mahishasura, a buffalo-headed demon, had gained immense power and terrorized the world. The gods and goddesses created Durga, a powerful form of Shakti, who defeated him in battle. This aspect of the festival is especially celebrated in Eastern India, particularly in West Bengal, where it marks the culmination of the Durga Puja.
3.End of Evil:
•Dussehra is a symbol of the triumph of good over evil, and people observe the festival with the belief that it will help eradicate negativity, obstacles, and evil forces in their lives.

Diwali
2026-11-08 14:00 - 21:00
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and across the world. It marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and it is dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama, the goddess Lakshmi, and various other deities depending on regional traditions. The festival generally falls between October and November, on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika.
Significance of Diwali
1.Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya:
•Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. It is believed that the people of Ayodhya lit oil lamps (diyas) to welcome Rama home, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
2.Worship of Goddess Lakshmi:
•Diwali is also the day that Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune, is worshiped. According to tradition, it is on this day that she visits homes that are clean and well-lit, bringing blessings for the coming year.
3.Victory of Good Over Evil:
•Diwali is celebrated as the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time to reflect on removing inner darkness and impurities.
4.The Birth of Lord Krishna (in some regions):
•In some regions of India, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan, Diwali is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, who is believed to have defeated the demon Narakasura on this day.
Spiritual and Moral Lessons of Diwali
1.Victory of Good Over Evil:
•Diwali serves as a reminder that good will ultimately triumph over evil, no matter how powerful evil forces may seem. It encourages individuals to purify their hearts and minds and strive for righteousness.
2.Self-Reflection and Renewal:
•The lighting of diyas and the cleaning of homes symbolize the removal of ignorance and the illumination of the soul. Diwali encourages self-reflection, self-improvement, and the removal of negative qualities like pride, greed, and envy.
3.Gratitude and Generosity:
•Diwali is a time for expressing gratitude to loved ones, neighbors, and the community. It emphasizes the importance of giving, sharing, and helping those in need, both materially and spiritually.

Satyanarayana Pooja
2026-12-05 10:00 - 16:00
Satyanarayana Pooja is a popular Hindu religious ritual dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Satyanarayana. The name “Satyanarayana” combines two words: “Satya” meaning truth and “Narayana” which is a name of Lord Vishnu, representing the supreme being who is the protector and sustainer of the universe. The pooja is performed to seek blessings for health, wealth, prosperity, peace, and the fulfillment of desires.
Significance of Satyanarayana Pooja
•Divine Blessings: This pooja is believed to bring prosperity, good health, success, and happiness to the devotees. It is often performed when a person or family is beginning a new venture, after completing a significant milestone, or during a time of personal or family need.
•Purification of the Mind and Soul: The pooja helps in cleansing the mind of impurities, and it is believed to rid devotees of negative karma, promoting spiritual well-being.
•Gratitude to Lord Vishnu: It is a way of thanking Lord Vishnu for the blessings received in life and asking for his grace to overcome obstacles and challenges.
Benefits of Performing Satyanarayana Pooja
1.Spiritual and Material Fulfillment: It is believed that performing the Satyanarayana Pooja brings both spiritual and material benefits, such as prosperity, peace, and the fulfillment of desires.
2.Overcoming Obstacles: It is said that Lord Vishnu removes all the obstacles in the devotee’s path, ensuring success and happiness.
3.Blessings for Health: The pooja is often performed to seek blessings for good health and to remove negative energies.
4.Protection and Guidance: The pooja invokes the protection and guidance of Lord Vishnu for the devotee and their family.
