Navratri Durga Puja - Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 5:30 PM
As in the years past, we will be celebrating our flagship program of Durga Puja, which marks victory of goddess Maa Durga in her battle against the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of Good over Evil.
Maa Durga, is revered as a symbol of power, motherhood, and protection.
Venue : Śrī Shakti Temple,
220 Stanley Street, Petaluma, CA
Date: Sun, Oct 18, 2026
Program Details:
5:30 PM Lalitha Sahasaranama Chanting
5:45 PM Devi Abhishekam
6:15 PM Devi Story (by Savitha)
6:45 PM Puja followed by Aarthi
7:00 PM Bathukkamma
7:15 PM Kolattam
7:30 PM Prasadam
The puja will be performed by Pandit Viswanathan Gurukal.
ALL are welcome to attend.
EXPLANATION OF WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF:
Bathukamma
Bathukamma is a flower-festival celebrated by the women of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. This festival is celebrated for nine days and corresponds with Navratri and Durga Puja. In Telugu, ‘Bathukamma' means ‘Mother Goddess come Alive’. Bathukamma is a beautiful flower stack, arranged with different unique seasonal flowers most of them with medicinal values, in seven concentric layers in the shape of temple gopuram. It is usually brothers, who bring flowers to their mother and sisters to arrange bathukamma.
Kolattam
Kolattam is an ancient, vibrant folk stick dance from South India, popular in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Usually performed in groups of 8 to 40 people in even numbers, traditionally by women. Participants strike their sticks together or against their partner's sticks in precise, coordinated patterns to create rhythmic sounds. Celebrated during village festivals, temple rituals, and harvest celebrations to show devotion and community gratitude.
