Navarathri Festival - oct 15- Oct 13

October 13, 2004

Navarathri festival: Oct 15 - Oct 23- 9 days================================

Navarathri is celebrated in a grand manner all over India. The customs vary from state to state, but the unifying factor is the significance - the victory of Good over Evil. This is observed during the Tamil month of Purattasi (mid-September to mid-October). It starts on the Mahalaya Amavasya day (the new moon on the month of Purattasi) and goes on for 10 days.

Different parts of India celebrate this festival. Calcutta is known for the Durga festival during this Navrathri, where they keep huge Durga idols and worship it and then later after some days, immerse in the lake with band and music and chants of Durga.

There is the Dandia celebration in Gujarat and all parts of India, where lot of people congregate in one huge place and do the Garbha dance with kollatam with traditional and rich costumes and jewellery. It's a feast to watch these events.

There is Ram Lila events in the Northern parts of India like Delhi. with stage plays of Epics and Folk dances. Schools have dasara holidays to enjoy this festival.

When translated the term Navarathri means "Nine Nights" and is essentially a period of worship to honor the 3 forms of Shakti - Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity), Durga (Goddess of Health and Well Being) and Saraswathi (Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge), with 3 days devoted to each of them respectively.

It is celebrated as the victory of these combined deities in the form of "Mahishasura Marthini" over the evil demon "Mahishasuran". Others celebrate it as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.

During this period, it is customary in many homes in Tamil Nadu to display a "Golu". This is an exhibition of various dolls in odd numbered tiers ("padis"). The golus vary in theme from house to house - from the elaborate, extravagant ones to the simple, traditional and artistic ones.

Navarathri is predominantly a female festival. But the husbands and sons and brothers provide able support in assembling the golu !

From the first or second day after the Mahalaya Amavasya ("Prathamai" or "Thvithiyai") we start inviting over friends and relatives to our house in the evenings, to take a look at the Golu.

Snacks - mainly Sundal - are prepared and after offering it to the Gods, it is served. The guests are also given some of the sundal and other snacks to take back home with them. Other snacks that may be prepared include Poli, Vadai ,etc.

In the evenings, a "kuthuvilakku" (small lamp) is lit, in the middle of a decorated "kolam"(Rangoli), before the golu and devotional hymns and slokas are chanted. After performing poojas, the food items that have been prepared, are offered to the Goddesses. Guests are always welcome and visiting friends and relatives also plays a major part.

On the 9th day ( "Saraswathi Pooja" ), special poojas are offered to Goddess Saraswathi - the divine source of Wisdom and Enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the pooja (you may want to place your software CDs too !) and worshipped as the source of Knowledge. Also tools are placed in the pooja - as part of "Ayudha Pooja".

Even vehicles are washed and decorated and poojas are performed to them.

The 10th day - "Vijaya Dasami" - is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which Evil was finally destroyed by Good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids are started tutoring on this day - to have a head start in their education.

On the evening of Vijaya Dasami, any one doll from the doll is symbolically put to sleep - to mark the end of that year's Navarathri - Golu. Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's Golu and with a hope of a successful one the next year ! Then the golu is dismantled and packed up for the next year !

This is symbolical of typical Navarathri festivals at homes.

Navrathri Festival with Baba at Samratchana , Ramrajya, Kelamabakkam is a grand festive occasion with daily yagams & daily cultural programmes by the talented team of Samratchana members of all ages who participate enthusiastically in the events.

Instead of the Golu dolls, here is a live Golu show by the people here.,, with Baba also participating the Golus with different costumes..

Happy Dasara Festival! to all of you

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