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Dhanteras, one in a series of festivals that leads up to the festival of lights Diwali, was celebrated at the Holy Lotus Feet of Shri Mataji late in the evening of 19 Oct 2006 at Her abode in Pune – Prathisthan, two days after Her arrival in India.

Dhanteras is considered an auspicious occasion to buy new valuables like precious metals by people in India. Shri Mataji has suggested earlier that on this day it is good to buy something which has a constituent of Mother Earth.

A few minutes before 10 p.m. the Dhanteras puja to Shri Mataji began when She accepted two garlands at Her Holy Lotus Feet.

The garlands were made of ‘Rajnigandha’ (Tuberose) flowers beautifully interlaced with dark red roses which glowed under the glow of the beautiful dark red sari that Shri Mataji had worn on the occasion.

A big metallic plate containing 11 earthen ‘diyas’ (oil lamps), each painted in red, was placed on a small stool before Shri Mataji. The ‘diyas’ contained many cotton slicks, all alight in oil, emitting bright flames before the Devi.

The Sahaja yogis and yoginis had purchased silver coins that they desired to be vibrated by Shri Mataji. Shri Mataji was offered a plate containing the coins. Shri Mataji asked “What is this” in Hindi to which was given the reply “Silver coins Shri Mataji”. Shri Mataji then pleased everyone with Her alertness by asking “how many?” to which She was informed “51 coins Shri Mataji”. Shri Mataji vibrated the coins by touching the center of the coin laden plate.

Shri Mataji, by touching with Her own Hand, then vibrated the prasad which was later distributed amongst the present Sahaja Yogis and Sahaja Yoginis.

Sir C.P. then offered Shri Mataji a ‘Kesari peda’ (saffron flavoured sweet) which She accepted and started eating.

In the meantime, while Shri Mataji was relishing the ‘kesari peda’ Sir C.P. held out another sweet for Her and very patiently and sweetly kept on holding it up before Shri Mataji till She finished eating the ‘peda’. Shri Mataji asked to distribute the Prasad amongst the present Sahaja Yogis and Yoginis who included amongst others Her grandson Anand. Then Shri Mataji graciously allowed a few group photographs to be clicked with Her.

Dr Bogdom, Shri Mataji’s doctor from Australia was present in the gathering. He had arrived in India at the same time as Shri Mataji. Sir C.P. spotted him and informed Shri Mataji that he had come. The doctor then came forward before Shri Mataji and presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Her.

The short but sweet function then came to an end with all the Sahaja Yogis and Yoginis present at the ceremony feeling deep joy in their hearts since Shri Mataji had accepted the Dhanteras puja at Her Holy Lotus feet appearing very alert and active.