4 PLACES WHERE YOU CAN WITNESS THE GRAND CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI

  

Today the Dasami, the last day of Navratri and Dusshera. The festive spirit is everywhere and people are enjoying the celebrations. Though the festival is celebrated in almost all the states of India, there are certain places which are synonymous with Navratri & Dusshera.

Let’s get to know more about them:

 Tamil Nadu: In the not-so-known village of Kulasekarapattinam, located in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, Dussehra is celebrated in a unique way. The Kulasai Dussehra festival as it is known is celebrated in the Mutharamman temple, which is about 300 years old and dedicated to Goddess Kali.

 Karnataka: Mysore Palace in Karnataka hosts one of the most magnificent Dussehra celebrations in India. The highlight is the elaborately decorated Mysore Palace, illuminated with thousands of lights. The Ravana Dahan is a part of the festivity and it takes place in an open ground nearby, attracting both locals and tourists.

Royal Celebration of the festival of Dussehra in Mysore, is adorned with colorful lights and decorations. The highlight is the procession of a beautifully decorated elephant carrying an idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. The Dussehra festivities in Mysore started at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 2023, and the big finale, known as Vijayadasami Day, happens on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Two major highlights on the last day are the Jamboo Savari and the Torchlight Parade. Thousands of people around the world gather to witness this spectacle. The Mysore Palace is illuminated, creating a mesmerising sight. Traditional music and dance performances fill the air with joy. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and is a time for family gatherings and feasting on delicious treats. It's a time when Mysore comes alive with cultural fervor and a strong sense of unity.

West Bengal: Dussehra in West Bengal, known as "Vijaya Dashami," is a joyful festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. People immerse idols of Goddess Durga in the holy Ganges River after 10-day worship, symbolising her triumph over evil. Crowds gather at pandals to witness cultural performances, like dances and music. Families exchange sweets and gifts, and children fly colorful kites. The fragrance of incense fills the air, and traditional Bengali sweets like 'sandesh' and 'rosogolla' are savored. It's a time for unity and joy as people bid farewell to the goddess, marking the victory of good over evil.

 Gujarat: This however, is the only state that erupts into a nine-night dance festival, perhaps the longest in the world. Each night, all over the state, villages and cities alike, people gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti.

 In Ahmedabad, Dussehra is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. People come together to watch vibrant processions and Ramlila performances. The highlight is the burning of huge effigies of the demon king Ravana, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Families exchange sweets and gifts, and women apply colorful sindoor (vermilion) on each other's foreheads. Traditional dances, music, and delicious snacks like dhokla and fafda add to the festive spirit. It's a time for unity, prayers, and the triumph of Lord Rama's righteousness, making Dussehra a cherished celebration in Ahmedabad.

Thus the celebrations come to end and every one waits for a year to witness one more festive celebration of Navratri & Dusshera

DEVOTIONAL SLOKAS OF GODDESS RECITED DURING THE CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

 

Navratri festival is being celebrated with pomp and gaiety across states in India and it is nearing the conclusion. We have read about various things like food, clothes,  stories, music, dance, home decor, kanya puja performed during the Navratri celebrations.

Today being Navami,   we  focus on the devotional rendering and chanting of slokas during the Navratri festival.  

 You have to spread the roli on the chowki and tie moli across and around it. Then place the idol of Goddess Durga right on the chowki. During Navratri Puja, chanting the prayers and invoke Durga Maa is considered auspicious and it is believed that Maa Durga visits and enlightens your home and blesses your family.

 A lamp is lighted symbolising knowledge and household prosperity, and kept alight through the nine nights of Navaratri. The family worships the pot for nine days by offering rituals and a garland of flowers, leaves, fruits, dry fruits, etc. with a naivedya, and water is offered in order to get the seeds sprouted.

 Navratra Akhand Jyoti is an oil lamp that burns continuously for 9–10 days on the festival of Navaratri in the honor of the divine Devi. A Jyoti is an essential part of puja, especially at Aarti. A Diya or Jyoti is a symbol of knowledge, purity, good luck, prosperity. In other words, it represents the absence of darkness/ignorance.

 There are several mantras for Goddess Durga, but the most simple and easy mantra to remember is “Om Shree Durgaya Namah.”  This mantra should be recited 108 times or until the multiple of 108. Friday is an auspicious day for this Mantra chanting.

 Durga Saptasati is also recited during Navratri with the chapters divided among the nine days. These chapters of Durga Saptashati, the story of Devi's glory are also recited during Chandi Homa, performed on the 8th day (ashtami) of Navratri.

 

The reading should be in the following order:

·         Devi Suktam.

·         Devi Kavacham.

·         Argala Stotram.

·         Keelakam.

·         Ratri Suktam.

·         Devi Mahatmya.

·         Kshama Prarthana.

 It has 13 chapters (Paath) which includes Kavach, Argala and Keelak. People, who wants to read Durga Saptashati Paath, must keep this thing in mind that they should first start with Kavach, Argala and Keelak without which the paath is considered to be incomplete.

 Durga Chalisa is recited every evening (ratri) when worshiping her nine main manifestations during Navratri because it encompasses her praise in one. The cleansing process the devotee undergoes during fasting and worship rekindles the body, mind and spirit with renewed energy.

 In Tamil Nadu, the nine-day festival is divided with the first three days dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the fourth, fifth and the sixth day dedicated to Goddess Durga and the last three days dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

 For Goddess Lakshmi -The Ashtalakshmi stotram is a devotional stotram dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and her eight forms. The eight stanzas of this stotram describe and praise the eight divine forms of the Goddess Lakshmi. Read it here

For Goddess Durga - The Devi Mahatmyaham is  recited which chronicles the killing of the demons Shumba and Nishumba, and then the bull demon Mahishasura by Devi.

 For Goddess saraswathi, the following slokas are recited on the Navami day while performing saraswathi Pooja.

Vidya Mantra

Saraswati Namasthubhyam

Varade Kamarupini

Vidhyarambam Karishyami

Siddhir Bavathume Sadha

Meaning:

Salutations to Goddess Saraswati, the one who gives boon and grants wishes

As I begin my education, shower me with the knowledge and intellect I need to attain wisdom.

Saraswati Vandana Shloka

Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala, Ya Shubhra Vastravrita

Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara, Ya Shveta Padmasana

Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibihi, Devaih Sada Pujita

Sa Mam Pattu Saraswati Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jadyapaha॥1॥

Meaning:

Salutations to Goddess Saraswati, who wears a garland of white pearls; the one who is dressed in white; the one who holds a Veena in her hand; the one who holds the blessing mudra; and the one who is seated on a white lotus.

Brahma, Vishnu and Shankara hail and worship you, O Goddess Saraswati, bless me and remove all my ignorance.

Shuklam Brahmavichara Sarparamamdhyam Jagadvyapineem

Veena-Pustak-Dharinimbhayadam Jadyandhkarapaham

Haste Phastikamalikam Viddhathim Padmasane Samsthitam

Vande Tam Parameshwarim Bhagavatim Buddhipradam Shardaam II 2 II

Meaning:

Devi Saraswati, the one who is dressed in a white attire, who is the epitome of knowledge and education, the one who governs learning in the Universe,

You hold the Veena and the book, you remove the darkness by illuminating our lives with the knowledge

You hold a garland of beads that sparkle and you are seated on a lotus that represents blossoming mindfulness.

I worship you, O mother Sharada, the Goddess of wisdom.

Saraswati Mantra

Saraswati Mahabhage

Vidye Kamalalochane

Vishwaroope Vishaalaakshi

Vidyam dehi namosthuthe

Meaning:

Salutations to Goddess Saraswati, who has eyes as beautiful as lotuses,

You are the manifestation of infinite knowledge, shower me with your blessings.

 Like these the slokas are chanted and recited as a prayer offering to three Goddess during Navratri and the devotees are blessed with enlightenment, prosperity and health.

KANYA PUJA - A SUPREME RITUAL IN THE CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

 

 In this Navratri festival, today being the Ashtami, Durga Ashtami or durga puja is performed at homes. As a part of this Kanya puja is also done.

 Kanya Puja or Kumari Puja is a significant ritual during Navratri and Durga Puja. It is held during the most important days of Navratri i.e. Ashtami and Navmi. This ritual involves worshiping girls aged between 6 and 12, symbolizing the Kanya Kumari.

 On this day, devotees conduct "Kanya Bhoj" or "Kanjak Poojan" at their homes to worship Maa Durga. Devotees welcome little girls (the girls are considered as the replicas of Maa Durga) at the homes and offer them Prasad (Ashtami bhog recipes) of Halwa-Puri, Sweets and Nariyal.

 They wash their feet with water, wipe them and ask them to sit on a special pedestal. A sacred thread (moli) is tied to their wrists and vermillion is applied to their foreheads. They are worshipped and people touch their feet and seek blessings.

 Kanjak, also known as Kanya Pujan, is performed to worship these girls as manifestations of Goddess Durga. 

 During Kumari Puja, the young girl is seated on a special pedestal, and her feet are washed as mantras are recited in reverence to Goddess Durga. Sandhi Puja holds immense significance in the Durga Puja celebrations, conducted at the precise juncture where Ashtami ends and Navami begins.

 Kanya Puja is believed to bring blessings, prosperity, happiness, and success. Girls aged two to ten are considered suitable for the puja.

 Nine girls are invited for Kanya Pujan, to represent the Navadurga forms of Goddess Durga. But many also welcome up to eighteen girls to worship them all between the ages of two to ten.

Kanya Pujan is generally performed on the last two days of Navratri, namely Ashtami (Ashtami Kanya Pujan) and Navami (Navami Kanya Pujan). People observe fasts on these days and perform the ritual of Kanya Puja. It is believed that the Navratri fasts are incomplete without Kanya Pujan.

 This ritual is a way to show gratitude to the Supreme Goddess. People worship Brahmacharini, Andraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalarati, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri, who represent the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.

 It is believed that Goddess Durga had taken the form of a kanya (young girl) to defeat the demon Kalasura and end his tyranny over the world. Devotees believe that the Devi resides in little girls and worship the nine forms of Devi in them during Navratri.

 She is worshipped because, according to the philosophy of 'Striyah Samastastava Devi Bhedah', women symbolize Mahamaya (the goddess Durga). Even among these a girl child is considered to be the purest, because of her innocence.

 Kumari puja is celebrated in order to signify that Maa Durga or rather the power of Maa Durga prevails in every women and they must be respected like the Divine mother.

 Kanya Pujan is the most beautiful way of honoring and worshipping Maa Durga in the form of young girls. This is the day that brings excitement and cheer to one's household. And it is believed that Durga Maa brings positivity and provides protection.

 Thus through these little girls every house hold is blessed by Goddess Durga during this Navratri festival.

HOW EVERY HOUSE HOLD IS DECORATED DURING THE CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

  

 

Navratri festival brings in a lot of guests at home which there by ushers in fun & joy. To get ready for the festival, one has to make sure the home is clean & decorated well. The preparations start weeks before the festival.

First and the foremost is to ensure the home is energetically welcoming, engage in thorough cleaning, including vacuuming, mopping, window washing, and decluttering. This creates a harmonious environment, both for Mother Durga and the guests.

 Traditional elements of Dussehra decorations often include Rangoli designs, colourful torans (door hangings), idols of deities, oil lamps or diyas, and garlands made from marigold flowers etc.

 Absolutely, floral Navratri decoration is a brilliant idea. Homes are decorated with fresh flower strings, garlands and torans. It is also suggested to place fresh flowers in a glass bowl filled with water and place it at the entrance to attract prosperity and good health.

 Flowers are one of the most versatile Navratri decoration items. You can use them to make garlands, captivating arrangements, and more. You can even ditch making rangolis with powder colours for gorgeous blooms. Flowers will fill up the home with a magical fragrance and helps to make unique designs and shapes.

 A Durga idol or photographis placed in the pooja room, the space is decorated with hanging lanterns and flowers. Two Kalash are placed with mango leaves and coconut at the entrance of the pooja room and a white rangoli on the floor.

 Drape fabric or garlands between the shelves to create a canopy effect. Add small potted plants, candles or string lights for extra embellishment. A floating shelf altar is an innovative pooja room decor idea that combines function and style. The pooja room will be uncluttered, allowing you to focus your reverence.

 Use colorful navratri decoration ideas to adorn the space. Hang torans or garlands made of marigold, mango or palm leaves over doorways. Place rangoli, diyas or string lights around the area to make it festive. You can also add potted plants, flowers and traditional Indian cushions, pillows or wall hangings.

 Get some fresh and colorful flowers to adorn the entrance of your house and temple. Also, you can use flower petals to draw rangoli and decorate the puja thali. Furthermore, you can use flower garlands to decorate walls, windows, and the goddess Durga's idol.

 Spruce up your home entrance with flower garlands and torans. Set up Jhallars with old fabrics like dupattas as a backdrop for the Durga puja at home. Enhance your home interiors with traditional diyas, fairy lights and rangoli designs.

 Light the lamp and incense sticks. Offer some flowers to Ma Durga and decorate the picture or idol with vermilion, chandan and turmeric paste. Every day during the puja, sprinkle some water on the barley seeds you had sown. Offer some interesting dishes you specially prepared for the puja.

Decorative items used during Navratri and Durga puja are:

 

·         Artificial Flowers.

·         Diyas & Lanterns.

·         Decorative Garlands.

·         Idols & Figurines.

·         Seasonal Indoor String Lights.

·         Rangoli.

·         Umbrella Holders.

 Apart from these you can pick so many beautiful decorative pieces to deck your home during the festival. Tealight holders, colourful bells and wall hangings, fresh flowers, salt lamps, oil diffusers, beautiful rangoli and fairy lights make for the perfect Navratri decoration.

 In South India, the celebrations take the form of Bommai Golu or Navratri Golu – an artistic display of dolls and figurines. The tradition can be seen in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The festivities begin with each household setting up a Golu in the corner of the house. Usually Golu is kept facing east.

 Nine steps are kept for the Golu or otherwise 3, 5, 7, steps are arranged, i.e. in odd numbers only, and more than one and usually not exceeding 9. The popular version of the significance of the 9 steps is that they represent the 9 Navagrahas.

 Characters from Ramayana, Puranas, and Dashavataram are depicted.  These days Golu also depicts particular themes like environment, space, mythology, current affairs, and more.

 It is a custom to add at least one new doll every year. The Golu could be a mode of telling ancient stories such as Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita or it could simply depict the evolution of life from animals to the sages and seers.

For the golu, houses are decorated with mango leaf toran, flower, wall hangings, colourful rangoli, new floor mats and fine electrical lightings around the set golu. Mud & sliver lamps are lit, fruits, gift items, Prasadam are placed in front of the golu before it is distributed to the guest.

The entire atmosphere gets into a traditional form and the decorations in the household are extravagant and highly appealing.  With these effects the memories of this occasion will linger forever.

DANCE - AN EXUBERANT PART IN THE CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

 

Navratri is finally here!  And the celebration is incomplete without a splendid night of Dandiya and music in the form of some upbeat and festive tunes!

Usually the 9 days celebration of Navratri includes 9 days of music and dance in various forms, the major being Garba and Dandiya. These are performed to worship the divinity and power of Goddess Shakti or Durga as well as to pay respect to the divine shakti – Goddess Durga. It is performed in a circle around the statue of Goddess Durga or the lamp offered to Goddess Durga.

 Garba and Dandiya are believed to be the indication of dramatisation of the fight between Goddess Durga – Power of Shakti and Mahishasur – the Demon King.  The colourful sticks used to perform Dandiya represents the sword of Goddess Durga.

 Garba is a form of dance which originates from the state of Gujarat. It is popularly played during the festival of Navratri (Dussehra). Both men and women wear colorful costumes and jewellery while performing the dance.

 The Garba dance is a ritual performance from Gujarat, the traditions of which date back at least to the 15th century and forms the celebrative part of the worship of the goddess Devi. Garba is performed, making a circular movement with hands and legs in a circle.

 Garba originated from the Sanskrit word Garbha meaning the womb. Customarily, this dance is performed during the nine-day Navratri festival which is held annually during the month of Ashwin (September or October)

 Garba is played by hands and involves various hand and foot movements with occasional clapping.  A garba event consists of several segments and Gujarati folk dance forms, including be taali garba (2-clap garba), tran taali garba (3-clap garba), raas, hinch, and more. The two primary forms are garba (both be taali and tran taali) as well as raas.

 An interesting fact about Garba: United way of Baroda Garba is a Mohotsav organized at a grand level and it is a big name not only in Gujarat but whomsoever comes to Gujarat will ask about this place to visit once in Navratri festival. United Way is mentioned in Limca book of Records as the largest garba ground in the world.

 Dandiya is played with colourful dandiya sticks. Several Dandiya steps are performed with an even number of people. click here for famous dandiya songs.

 Dandiya Raas is the folk dance of Gujarat. With its origins in Gujarat, this popular socio-religious dance is performed during the time of Navaratri festival. It is believed to be performed in memory of Goddess Durga's victory over Mahishasura.

 Dandiya is one of the popular dance forms performed during Navratri as it is used to educate people about the festival and mythological importance behind it.

 During this nine-day celebration, devotees observe fast and enjoy the festival with music, shopping, and dance. This year, the festival of Navratri started on October 15, 2023. The festival is celebrated with fervent joy and enthusiasm throughout the country as this marks the arrival of Goddess Durga.

MUSIC ENCHANCES THE DIVINITY DURING THE CELEBRATION OF NAVRATRI FESTIVAL

 

Navratri progressing finely and on the four day of the festival we turn towards music and focus on the role of it in the ongoing festival.

We all very well know that Devotional songs and bhajans are sung in praise of Goddess Durga and soulful music help to connect with the divine energy of the Goddess and invoke her blessings.

 

When defined as nouns, Kirtan refers to a song praising a deity while bhajan is a personal communication with the divine. Kirtan in verb form in northern India refers to group singing of songs which may include bhajans. In southern India, the word for such a kirtan performance is referred to as bhajan.

 

The Bhajans in many Hindu traditions are a form of congregational singing and bonding, that gives the individual an opportunity to share in the music-driven spiritual and liturgical experience as well as the community a shared sense of identity, wherein people share food, meet and reconnect.

In general Devotional singing, known as bhajans or kirtan, can help to quiet the mind so that the heart can open to the divine, allowing us to taste the blissful reality that is our true nature. It is a participatory spiritual practice in which everyone is encouraged to sing and express their inner joy. No doubt Navratri is a great occasion for this.

 

Navaratri Golu is believed to have been celebrated since the existence of the Vijayanagar kingdom in 14th-century India, and was especially popular with the royal families of Thanjavur and Pudukkottai in the state of Tamil Nadu.

 

Golu consists of a makeshift staircase on which the dolls, which have been passed on from many generations are kept. Durga triumphed over Mahishasura on the 10^th day of the war, which is celebrated as Dashara. To pay respect to the self-sacrifice of those deities the doll festival is observed by worshipping the Gods and Goddesses in the form of dolls.

 

It is celebrated in different parts of India like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka by creating dolls as gods, goddesses, animals, children, and men, etc. The devotees in Tamil Nadu believe that Bommai Golu or Kolu depicts the presence of God.

 

After setting up the Golu, friends, relatives and neighbours are invited to witness and the guest’s usually offer their prayers by singing devotional songs.

Married women and children, especially little girls, are specially called in homes each evening to see the golu. They are requested to also sing devotional songs in the honour of the goddess. They plan a set of songs, & practice before hand to sing in at invited golus’

 They are then honoured by gifting betel leaves, coconuts, fruits, flowers, bangles, turmeric, kumkum, and prasad.

 

The famous songs regularly sung in Golu’s in South India are:

1.  Himagiri Thanaye Hemalathe….

2.  Bhaagyada Lakshmi baaramma….

3.  Sri Sarasvathi namosthuthe…

4. Karpagavalli Nin porpadhangal piditthen…

5.  Amba nee irangavidil enil ….

6.  Ksheeraabdhi kanyakaku sri mahaalaksmiki…

Thus the environment becomes musical and joyous. This festival is an important occasion for socializing. During this season relatives and friends in south India make it a point to visit each other's homes.

Music adds a lasting touch to the festival and people around are ultimately blessed.