Navaratri – Vijayadasami
The beginning of the Asviyuja month of the Indian lunar calendar (between September and October) marks the start of a long festival throughout the country. Popularly known as Navaratri, Dasara or Dussehra, this festival is celebrated for nine nights, hence the name Navaratri.
‘Nava’ in Sanskrit is nine and ‘ratri’ denotes night. Day 10 is the concluding day of this festival named ‘Vijayadasami’ which signifies the victory of virtue over evil. Among the many Navaratris that are observed, this one, the sharan Navaratri or sharad Navaratri is more popular and significant.
Navaratri is celebrated differently in different parts of the country.
- In the northern and western parts of India, this festival marks the battle between Rama and demon Ravana and the defeat of Ravana.
- Vijayadasami is celebrated as Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh.
- In Gujarat, Navaratri is celebrated by lighting diyas and performing the garba dance and dandiya.
Forms of Goddess Durga
Some states mark this festival period as Goddess Durga’s fight with Mahishasura, a demon with a buffalo head. In some places, various forms of Durga are worshipped each day as
- 1. Shailaputri – daughter of mountain,
- 2. Brahmacharini – symbolising austerity,
- 3. Chandraganta – an embodiment of beauty and bravery,
- 4.Kushmanda – the creative power of the Universe,
- 5.Skanda mata – mother of skanda,
- 6.Katyayani – symbolising courage,
- 7.Kalaratri – power to destroy ignorance,
- 8.Mahagauri – who stands for intelligence and peace and
- 9.Siddhidatri – one who grants all siddhis.
Day 8 is also famous as Durgashtami. Life-size idols of Durga were made especially for this festival and are very common in Eastern parts of the country. Daily evening Maha Arti is performed with loud sounds of dhol. The festival culminates with the Durga Pooja on the day
In some places, the idols of Durga are immersed in water bodies at the end of the festival.
In Tamil Nadu – Golu / Bommala Koluvu
Down south, more so in Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated as pooja to the three forms of Devi viz., Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. In each of the houses, dolls made from clay or other materials and painted with bright colours, are arranged in a specially made pedestal with steps that is colourfully decorated (in Telugu it is called Bommala Koluvu).
The dolls that resemble objects or living beings or that depict the various forms of Gods and Goddess are displayed. This arrangement and display are considered by them an important and divine activity and most families devote much time to the preparation and setting up of this golu (in Tamil).
The dolls are arranged in a way that exhibits a theme, a story or an event. Display of themes such as a wedding, or a royal procession or depictions from the puranas such as a scene in Kailasa or a spiritual message such as a veda patashala are some examples of creativity that these arrangements display.
The more modern golu items include a cricket match setup, a toll plaza and such current themes. It is indeed an opportunity for each family to come together and display their creativity, imagination and passion. Figurines made of wood are decorated with new clothes, jewellery and costumes.
Common among these dolls in display are a Chettiar (a vaisya) along with his wife and a provision store like setup, usually placed at the bottommost step.
This whole setup is revered and considered a form of divinity and worshipped for 10 days. On each day, in front of the golu colourful Rangolis are drawn, lamps are lit and a special dish called Sundal, made from each variety of grams or pulses, is offered as Naivedyam.
Ladies amongst relatives, friends and neighbors are invited to see the golu and are offered gifts along with tamboolam and sundal. Visiting ladies consider singing music or devotional songs to the exhibits at these premises as a good gesture and duty.
Navarathri Brahmotsavam in Tirumala
The Brahmotsavam celebrated at Tirumala is a unique festival. When there is adhikamaasam, Brahmotsavams will perform twice.
One is the annual (Saalakatla) and the other is Navarathri Brahmotsavam. Navaratri Brahmotsavam will be conducted in Tirumala on a grand and magnificent scale.
Every day the utsava murthy, Lord Malayappa Swami draped in rich dress, adorned with beautiful flower garlands and jewellery is taken out in a procession through the four mada streets both in the morning and evening in different vahanas which are well decorated.
Large troupes dancing & singing and some dressed with costumes resembling themselves as Rama, Lakshmana or Krishna and other Gods depicted in the epics, both male and female accompany the procession. On a concluding day, Thirumanjanam (abhishekam) to Sri Malayappa swami along with his consorts & chakratalwar have chakrasnanam
Worship of Gouri Devi
In Telangana, a festival named Bathukamma Panduga is celebrated during the same period as a form of worship of Gouri Devi. Women make a pyramid-shaped stack of flowers from locally procured flowers that have a vibrant look.
On Navami day, women from all households gather as small groups, in an open place or temple, place these flower stacks in a circle form, and attired in colourful dresses themselves, go around these flower stacks singing and dancing.
Later, around evening dusk time, they place these flower stacks on their heads and proceed in a procession to a water body singing all the way. These flowers are then offered and immersed in a water body, such as a river, lake or pond as a mark of respect to them.
Austerities
Considered as auspicious and divine period, during these festival days, in each of the household Chanting of slokas and stotras like Lalita sahasranamam, Goddess Lakshmi Ashthotharam and worship of other Goddesses too is auspicious. Some household members undertake severe austerities during these days.
Many restrict themselves to homemade soft food, staying away from prohibited foods and some undertake fasting as well. Ayudha Pooja is conducted on the Vijayadasami Day.
On this day of Ayudha pooja, all tools and instruments and vehicles are cleaned, decorated and worshipped. The whole atmosphere looks divine with every household showing their reverence and gratitude to Goddess Durga on this day.
Vijayadasami is considered auspicious to start any new learning, be it music or a new language or a study in a new subject. Any new knowledge-related undertaking started on this day is believed to be fruitful and gainful.
Dasara in Mysore
Dasara, in Mysore, a city in Karnataka, is one of the magnificent festivals of the state. The city is decked with lighting, flags, and colourful festoons and wears a pompous, festive look.
The Mysore palace is fully lit on all nine nights and provides a wonderful rich sight to view in the night. On Vijayadasami day, the deity of Goddess Chamundi in a golden mantap is placed on the back of a well-decorated Elephant and taken in procession.
Final Word
Navaratri is a festival that vibrates across the country and every household observes it with great devotion, bhakti and enthusiasm. Devi, in the form of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati is said to bestow health, wealth and happiness to all who seek their blessings.
