Ashram Mission Statement
We aspire to live the Teachings of Haidakhan Baba, to share the Love of Babaji
and the Divine Mother with others, to hold this Ashram as Their Home,
to serve humanity, and to be stewards and caretakers of the land.
October, 2007
Dear Friends of the Ashram,
 Fall Navratri, the Divine Mother Festival, is quickly approaching. The dates this year are Thursday, Oct. 11 through Friday, Oct. 19. Each of the nine days we have a large fire ceremony, as is pictured here with Shri Babaji and Shri Muniraji. I have detailed the program for each day in the article below. We hope that you can join us in spirit and prayer if not in person.
I will be doing chanting programs in Dallas and Houston, Texas on October 26 and 29 respectively. If you are in the area, it would be wonderful to see you. The programs that we did last month in Northern California and Denver were very full of people and full of love. It is such a blessing to be able to come together like this.
Our evening aarati has shifted to 6pm and will remain so through the winter months. Morning aarati will continue to be at 7am. Our next fire ceremony is on first day of Navratri, Thursday, October 11 and we will have one each day until Friday, October 19. The full-moon fire ceremony is on Thursday, October 25. The fire ceremonies begin at 10:08am and are followed by a meal. In order for more people to be involved long-distance in the fire ceremonies, we have expanded our sponsorship range. We will also take a mala or bracelet to the fire with Shri Babaji's padukas to send to you so that you can wear the blessings from the fire. The categories are:
$27 sponsorship - copper, brass, nickel Om Namah Shivaya bracelet
$54 sponsorship - Sandalwood Mala
$108 sponsorship - Rudraksha or Crystal-Rudraksha Mala
You can make the donation on line by just clicking here or call 719-256-4108 or e-mail the Ashram at info@BabajiAshram.org or send us a check at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131. We are continually grateful for all of your support.
In truth and love, Ramloti
Fall Navratri
Thurs., Oct. 11 - Fri., Oct. 19
Fall Navratri, nine days in honor of the Divine Mother, is such a special time at the Ashram and around the world. Millions of people will be doing ceremony to Mother during this time. Just today, someone commented on the fact that after attending the Navratri ceremonies twice a year, her body and psyche begin to sense when it is time again to set aside these special days to honor and thank the Divine Mother. In the discourses that we have on the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam after the fire ceremony each day of Navrati, the conversation often touches on how fortunate we are to be able to take this time to focus so one-pointedly on the Mother. It is a powerful and blessed time.
Most of the morning is spent in ceremony and the afternoon in preparing for the next day. The schedule for the Navratri days is as follows:
Chanting and Chandan - 6:40am
Morning aarati - 7am
Divine Mother Puja to the Mother Aspect of the day - 8am
700 Verses praising the Divine Mother - 8:30am
Fire Ceremony - 10:08am
Discourse on the Devi Bhagavatam - 11:15am
Lunch - noon
Evening aarati and kirtan - 6pm
The nine days are divided into three groups of three days. The first three days we honor Mother Durga who is the warrior form of Mother. We ask Her to annihilate those tendencies within ourselves that keep us from perceiving our continual union with the Divine. The next three days we honor Mother Mahalakshmi asking Her to fill those voids that we have just rooted out with more live-supporting and awe-inspiring propensities. The final days we pray to Mother Saraswati asking Her to fill us with Divine Knowledge and Love. Each day at 8am we do puja to one of the three aspects. It is an  opportunity for all present to have the visceral experience of welcoming, bathing, dressing, adorning, and worshipping the Divine in Her Feminine Form as the folks in the photo are doing.
We hope you can join us for all or part of this festive time. The dormitory fills up quickly during this time, so make you reservations soon. It is actually already totally booked for Saturday night, October 13 but we could put you on the waiting list in case we have any cancellations or direct you to a local hotel. Please call us at 719-256-4108 or e-mail us at info@BabajiAshram.org.
If you can not join us in person, you may want to consider setting aside a time at home each day to honor the Divine Mother. You may also sponsor one of the sacred fires or feasts. The welcome letter above tells you how to do this.
Chanting Evenings in Texas, October 26 & 29
 Ramloti will be leading two evenings of chanting in Texas at the end of this month. The first event will be in Dallas on Friday night, October 26 from 7pm until 9pm. For location and more information call Romesh at 214- 547-9133 or 214-435-5186.
The second evening will be in Houston on Monday night, October 29. For location and more information please call Sandra Kachmarik at (713) 628-7413 or Tina at (713) 454-4563. Please join us if you are able. If you have friends in these areas, you may want to tell them too.
Kirtan Hall Update
 A month never goes by without deep appreciation for our new kirtan hall. The photo is from Labor Day weekend and the hall was quite full for evening aaratis. What a blessing to have this space. Some visitors came here today from Northern California who had not been here for several years. They were so pleased to see how beautiful the new hall is.
We are pleased to let you know that through your generosity, the recent fund-raisers, and all of your shop purchases, we have paid down our kirtan hall loan to $50,000. We have organized other fund-raisers with bhajans in Texas this month. Read above for more details.
We continue to look for other ways to help pay this loan off more quickly, if you have any ideas, please call the Ashram at 719-256-4108. We want to thank you for all of your continued support in this meaningful project. If you are able to contribute to help us pay the loan off, you can send a check to the Ashram at P.O. Box 9, Crestone, CO 81131 or donate online by clicking here.
Meet Our New Board Member, Arvind Suman
 I first heard about the Ashram a couple of years ago. On my first visit I was astonished at the peace, tranquility, beauty and all of the facilities. I loved the bhajans and the temple to Mother. I have been back on visits to the Ashram many times since then with my wife, Rashmi and my four-year-old son, Anshul. We have also brought many new families to the Ashram with us. I even came for two visits on my own while my wife and son were in India last year.
I am originally from Bihar, India. I completed my studies in south India at NIT. I came to the United States seven years ago and worked in Virginia. I moved to Denver, Colorado in October of 2004 and work for Qwest as project manager.
I wanted to serve as a Board Member for the Ashram because I love coming there and being in the peaceful surroundings. I also felt that it is one way that I could give back something to the Ashram from which I have derived so much.
Why an Ashram in Crestone?
by Premanand
 My sense of what is happening in this part of the world near the mountains, is that this seems to be a gathering point for people with their own particular spiritual practices. My direct experience of visiting and then living here is that there is a quality to the silence that seems to emanate from the land. The geography itself ties in with the legends of various Native American tribes who came here for their own spiritual practices.
There is a continuation of a tradition established and anchored here by the Native Americans. They sensed the spiritual quality of the mountains and perhaps through their spirituality they enhanced it. And that is what we are all doing here now. Crestone is a very spiritually potent place for people who can surrender to the energy here and be with it.
Visit the Official Indian Samaj Website
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This is a heartfelt invitation to visit The official Indian Samaj Website at www.haidakhandisamaj.org.
Of course it is for and from all of us and to keep in touch with latest news of our Ashrams in Haidakhan, Chilianaula, and Manda as well as to tell about all the Ashrams around the world. It also has information about our hospitals, The Indian newsletter, Interviews with Shri Muniraj, and Shri Alok Banerjee (the new chairman of the Samaj).
Plans for music and video need still to be realized but we have made a start and we kindly invite you to take a look. We welcome all wonderful participation about Babaji and works done in His name, particularly from India.
Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Raghu
Babaji on YouTube
Dear Ashram,
Here’s the link (at last) to the color Babaji darshan for YouTube. We’ve had almost 700 views of the black and white one. People appear to like it. The Dutch ashram put it on their website, which I think reaches a lot of people. This computer age is so amazing. I think of 20 + years ago in Haidakhan when we didn’t even have running water or a telephone. I’m wanting so much to go back to India.
Love to you,
Morgan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b2HHlya4qs
Also from Kailash108 on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_SsQi5fLFM
Recent Events
Ganesh Chaturthi in Castro Valley, CA
 
What a lovely gathering at the home of Prakash and Chitra Darke in Castro Valley, CA. It was Ganesh's birthday and there was a full house with almost 40 people in attendance. The evening of bhajans and chanting was followed by aarati to Ganesh and then a wonderful dinner. It is great to get to know so many new friends around the country.
Aarati & Fire Ceremony in the Bay Area
 
We had a very wonderful turnout at the home of Dana Delong and Saradambe with about fifty people traveling from as far away as Reno, Nevada to attend. We gathered on Sunday morning, September 16 for aarati and a fire ceremony. Nirmal from MA. was there leading the ceremonies and Ramloti played the harmonium. Several old-time devotees were there including Emam, Mindia, Guruli, Bhakti Baba, Chandresh & Jai Shree Trivedi. There was so much energy it felt as if the roof may fly off!
Denver Fund-raiser, A Great Success
 On September 22, we had another very successful fund-raiser in Denver. This time Hari Morisetti and his family hosted it and did much of the organization for it. It was very inspiring to see his adult sons decorate the altar and the room in such a loving manner.
The food was donated by Masalaa Restaurant as well as several of the families that attended the function. Most of eighty or so people in attendance have been to the Ashram for visits and those that have not are soon to come. We appreciate all of the support of our Denver devotees and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
College Students Serve at the Ashram
There is always a lot to do at the Ashram particularly before large events like Navratri. We are so grateful for the many volunteers that help here. Last weekend we had students  here from Adams State College in Alamosa helping with the preparations for Navratri.
This weekend we have fourteen Colorado College students here for several days. They are chopping wood; harvesting the garden; cooking meals; mowing lawns; cleaning the temple, dorm, and shop; helping with the rest of Navratri preparations; and anything else that needs doing. It is great to see young folks so eager to help. We know that we will see several of them again here. For some, the Ashram is a almost like a second home while they are away at school.
Families at the Ashram
Angela and Jason  had a baby boy on September 12 weighing 7lbs. 10 ozs. His name is Talus Julian and he and his brother, Matias are keeping mom and dad busy. Congratulations to them. The baby is beautiful.
Meanwhile, Jen has just gone into labor as this newsletter is going out. Please keep her and her husband, Danush in your prayers.
 Many families have been coming to the Ashram with this wonderful Fall weather. Last weekend the Manmohan Dronamraju family brought their almost three-year-old daughter to make her first letter in the temple before Mother. The Srinivas Parsi family brought their almost one-year-old son to have Mother's darshan  before his first birthday.
The full-moon fire ceremony two days ago had nine little children and babies in attendance. We are so grateful that this is a place that families are so drawn too. We love to watch the children grow.
Calendar for 2007 -2008
October 11 - 19 - Fall Navratri, nine days honoring the Divine Mother. Daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, and readings.
October 26 - Chanting Night in Dallas, TX with Ramloti. Call Romesh at 214-547-9133 for location and more information.
October 29 - Chanting Night in Houston, TX with Ramloti. Call Sandra Kachmarik at (713) 628-7413 or Tina at (713) 454-4563 for location and more information.
November 9 - Diwali, Festival of Lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting in candle-lit temple at 7pm followed by a light meal.
February 14, 2008 - Shri Babaji's Mahasamadhi. Paduka Puja at 5:30pm followed by aarati.
March 6, 2008 - Maha Shivaratri with all-night chanting and fire ceremony March 7 at 10am.
April 5 - April 13, 2008 - Spring Navratri, nine days to honor the Mother. Daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, and readings.
July 18, 2008 - Guru Purnima Day, the day you honor your guru. Paduka Puja at 9:30am, Fire ceremony at 10am followed by an Indian feast.
September 29 - October 7, 2008 - Fall Navratri, nine days to honor the Mother. Daily fire ceremonies, pujas, discourses, and readings.
October 28, 2008 - Diwali, the festival of lights. Fire ceremony at 10am. Chanting at 7pm.
Maha Lakshmi Shop Report
  The Shop has received two new CD's from Turkantam. They are Ghandarvas, which sells for $20 and Bhakti, which is a double CD and sells for $30. Both are true to his inspirational sound and voice and should be in every ones' chanting collection.
We are also restocked in our Aarati CD produced by Prem Bhai with Hargovind on the harmonium and vocals. This CD sells for $20 and is a very clear yet shakti-filled recording of the aarati.
You can call the shop toll-free at 866-686-4185 to order or for more information. We are open daily from 9am until 5pm. We do take Mastercard, Discover, and Visa. To view items in the Maha Lakshmi Shop, please refer to our newly updated web site at BabajiAshram.org.
You may order on line through paypal or e-mail us at shop@babajiashram.org, or of course, place the order over the phone. We love to talk with you.
We thank you for all of your shop purchases as the revenue from the shop is a huge support for the Ashram.
Bhole Baba Ki Jai!
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