The Navarathri poojai 2022 was held at the hostel No.2 Akthovizal on Saturday the 1st of October, 2022. It was organized by the Medical Students’ Hindu Society, of the Sri Lankan Medical Students’ Union.

The Pooja is held in order to celebrate and worship goddesses who are responsible for 3 aspects in a person’s life; Goddess Durga who is for bravery, Goddess Lakshmi for riches and Goddess Saraswati for education. Navarathri Poojai is observed by Hindus for 9 days from 26th September to 5th October.

These 9 days are divided to 3 parts for each Goddess; 3 days for Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati respectively followed by “Ayuda pooja” on day 10, in which people worship the tools used in their jobs. Farmers worship plough whilst students worship their stationary for instance.

This event is celebrated by the Hindu community of our university annually. This year’s event started off with preyers for the three Goddesses. Students sang “Hindu Bhakti songs”. Then they sang “Sahakalavalli maalai” a set of songs dedicated to Goddess Saraswati asking for her blessings. They offered a variety of “Prasadam” which are food dedicated to the Goddesses and made the auspicious table with pictures of statues of Gods and Goddesses.

Students from the Sri Lankan and Indian communities, joined in this Navarathri poojai. After the poojai everyone was served with traditional South Indian refreshments Kadalai, Vadai and Kesari.

VSMU Media Center:
De Soiza Bodadura Kavinda Jerome,
6 year FOST, 56 group "General Medicine"

Photo materials –
Chandramulisan Sivamintan,
6 year FOST, 56 group "General Medicine"