Washington Kali Temple
( Shiva-Durga-Shakti Mandir)
16126 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville , MD 20866
The temple is located on eight acres of pristine land near Washington D.C. The temple consists of Ma Kali’s wing, Ma Durga’s wing, Shrine of Shiva and 12 Jyotirlingas, Nabagraha wing and Radha Krishna wing. Please come with your family and friends and experience the exhilaration of worshipping the Goddess Kali, Goddress Durga, Lord Shiva, the Nabagrahas and Lord Honuman.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
MAHALAYA CELEBRATION
(Morning Prayer)
6:00 AM – Live musical celebration with Chandipath
7:30 AM – Luchi / Tarkari / Misti breakfast
8:00 – 11:00 AM – Til Tarpan
MAHALAYA AMAVASYA KALI PUJA (TITHI)
12:30 PM – Worship of Ma Kali, Individual Puja Offerings,
Anjali, Arati and Chandipath, Devotional music and Bhog
Come September 28, on Sunday, and Hindus all over the world get enthused in festive fervor. Come “Mahalaya” and Bengalis get busy to complete the final preparations for their greatest festival - Durga Puja.
What's Mahalaya?
Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth - "Jago Tumi Jago". This is done through the chanting of mantras and singing devotional songs.
Why's Mahalaya So Special?
Since the early 1930s, Mahalaya has come to associate itself with an early morning radio program called “Mahisasura Mardini” or “The Annihilation of the Demon.” This All India Radio (AIR) program is a beautiful audio montage of recitation from the scriptural verses of “Chandi Kavya”, Bengali devotional songs, classical music and a dash of acoustic melodrama.
It is a tradition to listen to Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the magical voice behind the “Mahisasura Mardini.” The legendary narrator recites the holy verses and tells the story of the descent of Durga to earth, in his inimitable style. Bhadra has long passed away, but this tradition will continue for the seventh year at the Washington Kali Temple by the local performers for one thrilling hour, mesmerizing with the divine aura of music, narration and dance, as we submerge our souls in quiet moments of prayer.
As the recital begins, the serene morning air resonates with the long drawn sound of the sacred conch shell, immediately followed by a chorus of invocation, melodiously setting the stage for the recitation of the Chandi Mantra. The Story of “Mahisasura Mardini” The story element is captivating. It speaks of the increasing cruelty of the
demon king Mahisasura against the gods. Unable to tolerate his tyranny the gods plead with Vishnu to annihilate the demon. The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Shiva) come together to create a powerful female form with ten arms - Goddess Durga or 'Mahamaya', the Mother of the Universe who embodies the primeval source of all power.
The gods then bestow upon this Supreme creation their individual blessings and weapons. Armed like a warrior, the goddess rides a lion to battle with the Mahisasura. After a fierce combat the 'Durgatinashini' is able to slay the 'Asura' king with her trident. Heaven and earth rejoice at her victory. Finally, the mantra narration ends with the refrain of mankind's supplication before this Supreme Power:
" Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."
