Happy Dasara/ Navarathri Oct 12 till Oct 21, Sunday

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India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions and all festivals are celebrated.

 

10 day Dasara/ Navarathri/ Durga Festival from Oct 12, Friday till Oct 21, Sunday

 

Check this link:

http://www.surfindia.com/festivals/durga-puja.html

 

Check on this link for Dussehra (or Dasara)

http://www.surfindia.com/festivals/dussehra.html

 

Dussehra is celebrated in North Indian in Delhi - capital of India, with Ram Lilas conducted. and burning a huge effigy of 10 headed Ravana on the 10th day-called Vijayadasahami - the triumph over evil

Significance

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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.

 

The festival of Navaratri is dedicated to the divine manifestations of Goddess Durga. Beginning with the new moon in the month of Ashwin, the festival consists of fasts and worship of the nine aspects of Goddess Durga. Known by more than a thousand epithets, Durga is sometimes worshipped as Mahakali for annihilating the demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, sometimes she is propitiated as Chamundi for killing the demons Chunda and Munda and at times as Nanda for predicting the death of Kamsa at the hands of Krishna. Whatever the epithet maybe, we venerate Durga for being the Goddess of power and wisdom.

 

Durga or the destructive aspect of the divine mother is worshipped during the first three nights. On the succeeding three knights, her protective aspect of Lakshmi and on the last three nights, her knowledge aspect or Saraswati are worshipped. The significance of this order is that first durga destroys all the evil propensities lurking in the minds of her devotees; then lakshmi implants divine qualities in the devotees' minds and finally saraswati bestows true knowledge to her devotees. The tenth day known as Vijaya Dasami, commemorates the victory of knowledge over ignorance of goodness over evil.

 

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 grand 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.

 

The ninth day of Navarathri is celebrated as Ayudha Pooja. on Oct 20, 2007, Friday. On this day, people pay obeisance to the implements they make use of during the course of their life - be it at home or at work. Tools such as scissors, knives as well as every tool of the trade, be it factory machinery or computers, are considered sacred and prayers are offered.

 

Even factories, and almost all companies do this pooja and distribute sweets to the employees.

This day is also the day of Saraswati Pooja. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and on this day, an idol or a picture of the goddess is kept along with the books as well as any musical instrument in the house, like a veena or a violin. Prayers are offered to the goddess and children are generally urged to pray extra hard, so that they will score well in the exams!

 

The tenth day is Vijaya Dasami, on Oct 21, 2007, Sunday This day marks the winding up of the long festival. The nine nights of celebration which precede the festival of Vijayadashmi, is known as Navarathri.

 

There was a time when the world was in the demonic grip of Mahishasura (a demon who had taken the form of a buffalo). The boon of invincibility, made him all powerful, for no man could ever defeat him in battle. Maheshasura conquered the heavens, and possessed the palace of the gods.

 

The gods pleaded with Shiva for help. Shiva appealed to Parvati, who used her shakti and a goddess appeared from the dark. Durga is the tamasic (dark) incarnation of Parvati. The gods bowed before Durga and offered her their powerful weapons.

 

While the gods watched, Durga battled Maheshasura. On Vijayadashmi day, Durga won back the heavens and earth from Maheshasura when she thrust her trident into his chest and killed him.

 

Dhaker bole- naacher tale

Tumar pujo othak moje bhore!

http://www.123greetings.com/events/durga_puja/friends/friend6.html

 

The Legend of Dussehra or Dasara

http://www.surfindia.com/festivals/dussehra.html

 

Watch the Golu of Tamil Tradition

http://www.chennaionline.com/specials/navarathiri2002/navarathiri.asp

 

Watch the Royal splendour of the Mysore Dasara, which is 140 Kms from Bangalore in Karnataka State.

The city comes live during 10 day Dasara with the Royal Wodeyar donning the Maharaja robes and the Palace grandly lit and there is a royal procession and there is Darbar held in the Palace and a procession on the roads.

 

Watch this link for the Mysore Dasara:

http://www.mysoredasara.com/

 

Gujarat has special Dandia and Garbha dances during Navarathri.

http://sify.com/samacharreligion/festivals/fullstory.php?id=13536694

Navrathri Wishes!

 

http://www.123greetings.com/events/navratri/navratri7.html

 

Ramzan- ID-Ul -Fitr : The festival for the Muslims was celebrated on : Oct 14th 2007, Sunday, after the sighting of the moon.

 

The holy month of fasting and praying for the Muslims, started on mid September.It continued for one month till the Ramzan festival- ID-Ul Fitr which was celebrated on Oct 14 2004, Sunday.

 

General idea of Fasting

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Fasting is practised by followers of all religions in one form or other. Fasting develops personality and nourishes one's mental faculties. It enables one to understand the privations of hunger and thirst and be kind to the poor and the needy. It is helpful to an individual as a health care ritual. The establishment of an obedient and disciplined society is also fulfilled when people observe Rozah (fast) repeatedly every year. Through fasting people can have control over themselves and can develop courage and develop strong will power endurance to bear hardships.

 

Oncoming Festivals:

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Nov 9- Friday- Deepavali or Diwali - The festival of lights.

Grand celebration all over the country with bursting of crackers and sparkles and fireworks display.with the lighting of lamps outside every home in India. A Grand spectacle and a joyous occassion.

 

Dec 25: Christmas..

 

with the ushering of the New year................Jan 2008.

 

Happy Festivals!!! all the way!!!

 

Regards

Hema

Hema Malini