Celebrations: Navaratri

MYSORE PALACE

DURGA MAA

DHANDIYA RAS

KOLU

Etymology: Nava (nʌvʌ) - Nine, Ratri(rætriː)- Night

Meaning: Nine Nights

Language Used: Sanskrit (नवरात्रि)

Religion: Hinduism

Navaratri is a Hindu festival of dance and celebration that continues for nine days from the start of the festival on the Amaavaasya day (new moon) in the Lunar Month Chaitra. Another one is celebrated exactly six months later in the Lunar month Ashwini - but the festival that falls in October is most popular amongst the two. It is celebrated in great pomp and glory all across India and Hindu communities in the world.

Mahishuru Celebrations

The celebration crucially features worship to the Divine Mother- Gauri/ Devi/ Parvati/ Shambhavi/ Naarayani / Shakthi etc. The Goddess, wife of the Holy Ascetic and mighty yogic God Shiva (The destroyer), appears on Earth centuries ago to kill the Demon Mahishasura, who ruled Dakshin Bharath (now it is known as Karnataka,Kerala,Tamil Nadu...) with all his cruelty and tyranny, on Mount Chamundi which is located in present day Mahishuru (Mysore). The goddess is now worshipped at Mahishuru in the name of Chamundeswari, and every Navaratri the great Wadiyor Mysore Palace is lit up to shine with the glory of the goddess- a spectacle not available anywhere else in the world.

Kolu

In Tamil Nadu (mostly), people keep clay and paper maché dolls of various Gods and Goddesses on makeshift steps and worship them. The dolls all depict legends from Hindu History and each doll has a meaning. The women are invited over and are given beetle leaves with nuts, a blouse piece, some small gifts and the red Kum Kum (Vermillion), signifying the importance of women in society and their roles in making a house good to live in. Ayudhya pooja is conducted on the ninth day of the festival and people worship Goddess Saraswati and pray for education and intelligence. People clean all their vehicles and sanctise them with Chandan (Sandal Paste) and Kum Kum (Vermillion) praying for a safe journey throughout the next year. The pooja usually goes hand in hand with Satsangs (Being with the truth) where people sing Bhajans
(songs in praise of Gods and Goddesses). The kolu dolls are then symbolically laid to sleep (one on each step) to signify the end of the festival on Vijayadasami day (tenth day).

North India

North India (mainly Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) celebrates Navaratri with dance and singing. Gujarat in particular has the Dhandiya Ras which is a circular group dance involving sticks (Dhandiya). The festival celebrations go late into the night and is quite fun. One must experience this in person.

West Bengal Durga Pooja

Durga Pooja is very popular in West Bengal. The Goddess Durga (Parvati) is worshipped with different names on each day and offerings are made to her, seeking peace and harmony.

I, being a Chennaiite in Tamil Nadu, keep Kolu in my house every year and celebrate Navaratri with true glory. It is a pride to be part of such celebrations that come sadly only once a year!!

Jai Jagadamba!

CR Aditya

The Elite CEO