Navratri,Celebrations in Kerala

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Navratri -- Celebrations in Kerala

In Kerala, Navratri signifies the beginning of formal education for

every child aged 3-5 years. While puja goes on in the temple for all

ten days, it is only the concluding three days which are really

important. Shankare Menon from Bombay says, "Ashtami is the day of

Ayudya Puja, when all the tools at home are worshipped. Custom

dictates that no tools be used on this day. On navami, day, we honour

Goddess Saraswati by worshipping the books and records at home. We

also abstain from consuming non-vegetarian food."

 

Thousands throng the Saraswati temple at Kottayam during this

period to take a dip in the mysterious holy pond whose source is yet

unknown. Large gatherings are also seen at the famous temples at

Thekkegram (Palghat), in which there are no idols -- only huge

mirrors. A devotee finds himself bowing before his own reflection

which indicates that God is within us.

 

In Mumbai, parents accompany their kids to various temples, including

the Ayyappa Temple at Goregaon where nearly 300 children commence

their Vidya Aarambham each year. V A D Menon who is a life-trustee of

the temple explains the procedure: "All the kids are made to stand in

a queue. The head priest tells the children to stick out their

tongues, on which he writes 'Shri', using a gold ring. Every child

has to bring a thali of rice from home, on which the parents, holding

the finger of the child, help him write 'Harishri Ganpati Namaye'.

All of this signifies that the child, from then onwards, must devote

himself to learning and education."

 

Menon adds that nearly 7,000 children from all over Kerala will be

given their first lesson at the famous hiruvullakavu Temple near

Trichur this year.