Tag: Navaratri

Maha Navaratri (Sarada Navaratri) - 9 Nights

Maha Navaratri (Sarada Navaratri) – 9 Nights

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Sarada Navaratri – Maha Navaratri

The festival Navaratri has a profound religious significance. It is believed that during these days, Goddess Durga specially descended on the earth to bless Her devotees to annihilate evil and establish ‘sanatana dharma’ firmly in the world.

Goddess Durga is seen as a lion in a sitting posture. The lion is a symbol of uncontrolled animalistic emotions such as excessive anger, arrogance, selfishness, greed, jealousy and a strong desire to harm others.

Goddess Durga is the Goddess of Power or the Supreme Energy and the lion is the embodiment of destructive powers which are controlled by the goddess. Navaratri is celebrated four times in a calendar year and each time it is done with a definite focus.

Navaratris

The Navaratri are named after the lunar month in which they are celebrated as Chaitra Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, Sharada Navaratri and Magha Navaratri. Though four in number, Chaitra and Sharada Navaratris are more prominent and the other two are known as hidden or ‘gupta Navaratris.’

The word Navaratri is a combination of two Sanskrit words. ‘Nava’ means ‘nine’ and ‘Ratri’ means ‘night’.

Chaitra Navaratri

Chaitra Navaratri is observed during the lunar month of Chaitra (March-April), the spring season and hence, its other name Vasanta Navaratri. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year in many regions of India.

In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as Gudi Padwa, marking the Marathi New Year. In Kashmir, it is known as Narveh, signifying the Kashmiri Hindu New Year. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and, Karnataka it is celebrated as Ugadi.

Ugadi Asthanam in Tirumala

Ugadi Asthanam in Tirumala

The ninth day of this Navaratri is celebrated as Sri Rama Navami.

Sarada Navaratri

Sarada Navaratri is also known as Maha Navaratri which is the most popular one and is widely celebrated with much enthusiasm, eagerness and devotion. It falls in the month of Ashwini (September -October).

This celebrates the divine feminine energy of Durga, the powerful goddess who conquers the demon Mahishasura. It also signifies the triumph of good over evil and the importance of conquering the inner enemies of every individual. On the tenth day, Vijayadashami marks the victory of Goddess Durga.

This tenth day of Sarada Navaratri is also called ‘Dussehra‘. This marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, symbolizing the destruction of evil. People burn effigies of Ravana, Meghanatha and Kumbhakarna to symbolize the victory of good over evil as Ramleela.

Dusshera

Vijayadashami

Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura is celebrated as Vijayadashami in West Bengal and southern parts of India. In West Bengal, people come together and celebrate the last five days in a pandal where beautifully decorated clay statues of Maa Durga, goddess Lakshmi and goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya are worshipped.

On the tenth day, the idols are taken out on a procession to a river or oceanfront and are immersed in the waters for dissolution and farewell with the words that Maa Durga should come again soon to bless them all.

In other places like Gujarat and Rajasthan ‘Ram Leela’ is celebrated on the tenth day. Men and women adorned in traditional attire with bright hues perform energetic Dandiya Raas and graceful Garba dance that forms to vibrant, joyful creative and rhythmic music.

In South India, it is celebrated in individual houses since special steps are built and idols are arranged on them in such a way to depict mythological stories in each step, which is called Golu. Friends and relatives are invited to take part in daily ‘pooja’. Mysore and, Karnataka are traditionally major centres for Dasara celebrations.

Mysore palace is illuminated with thousands of lights, huge ‘golu’ steps are decorated with images of deities. All ten days the palace gates are open to the common man to visit and take part in the royal celebration and pooja.

Ten Inner Enemies

Dasara has a special message and a symbolic meaning as well. At the individual level, it motivates every individual to strive hard to defeat his ten inner enemies namely Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Maatsarya, Aalasya, Dirgha sutrataa, Niraasha and Ahamkara by focusing his mind on the Almighty and become victorious. Cleansing one’s inner impurities makes him an appropriate receptacle to receive His blessings and acquire spiritual growth.

Though Vasanta and Sarada Navaratris are more prominent and widely celebrated, Aashadha and Magha ‘Gupta Navaratri’ are celebrated mainly by Shakti Upasakas or divine feminine energy worshippers. These days are important for observing various tantric practices, many intense and severe penances with the desire to acquire more spiritual powers and to attain inner peace. In these two ‘Gupta Navaratris’ Maa Durga is worshipped in all Her nine forms with utmost devotion.

There is an interesting feature about the starting day of these Navaratris. Every year Maa Durga arrives on a specific vahanam to shower Her blessings on Her devotees. If Navaratri begins on a Sunday or a Monday, She comes on an elephant and this indicates more rain and prosperity to the world.

If it commences on a Tuesday, She comes on a horse which indicates natural calamities and war-like situations and unrest among people. If it begins on a Wednesday, Durga Maa arrives on a boat and it is considered to be very auspicious and beneficial to the world.

If it begins on a Thursday or a Friday, She comes on a palanquin which is indicative of epidemic fear.

Each ‘vahana’ carries specific connotations, and reflects rich Hindu tradition and beliefs. It also displays the multi-faceted nature of religious practices and its impact on our daily routine life.

Interesting Practices

A few more interesting practices observed during the festival, Navaratri:

  • People observe fasting on all nine days. They take only liquids. Some consume only fruits and nuts.
  • Consumption of sattvic food—garlic, onion, and any other spicy items are avoided.
  • Usage of rock salt instead of regular salt.
  • All nine days only sprouted beans, green dal and peas are boiled and consumed.
  • Tubers and root vegetables are boiled and sprinkled with rock salt.
  • Sago food items are consumed.
  • Shakti worship is done.
  • A lamp is lighted on the first day of Navaratri and kept alight on all nine days. It symbolizes dispelling the darkness of ignorance and acquiring knowledge.
  • All devotional lyrics eulogizing goddess Devi are chanted. Raja Rajeshwari stotram, Durga Saptashati, Sridevi Mahatmyam, Mahishasura Mardini stotram, Sri Suktam, Sri Lakshmi Sahasranama, Sri Lalita Sahasranama and, Sri Shyamala Dandakam are chanted every day.
  • In certain areas, all nine forms of Maa Goddess Durga namely Maa Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandra Durga, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayini, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhi Daatri are worshipped.
  • Commencement of learning or ‘Vidyarambham’ is done on Vijaya Dashami.
  • The blessings of ‘gurus’ and elders are sought.

Final Word

Thus, we find Navaratri displays a spectrum of activities such as religious practices, good dietary discipline, sacred rituals, brisk and vibrant dance forms, community pooja and individual observance of Golu. The common thread in all these is the destruction of evil and the victory of the feminine power and the re-establishment of ‘sanatana dharma’ on earth in all its glorious form.

Navaratri - 9 Nights of Bhakti

Navaratri – 9 Nights of Bhakti

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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.

Goddess Durga

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).

Navaratri Golu - Bommala Koluvu

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.

Mohini avataram - Navaratri Brahmotsavam in Tirumala

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.

Dasara in Mysore

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.