[AjayKumar.Kataram]

NAVRATRI - NINE NIGHTS IN PRAYERS OF GODDESS DURGA
'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals but all of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. Though it is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan.
Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In olden times, this festival was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children. Sweetmeats are prepared for the celebrations and children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than a religious or agrarian festival. In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of the festival, only to be opened on the tenth day of Dussehra. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Mother Goddess as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the gaieties of the season. This year celebrate Navratra from Oct 12 to 20, 2007

[Sudhani]

Navratri...Celebrate the spirit of India...(Tamil Nadu)

Hindu festivals are celebrated in different ways in different states. In Maharashtra, the Ganpati festival goes on and on for 10 days before the final immersion takes place. In Tamil Nadu, Ganesh Chaturthi is mainly a one-day affair and the focus is more on preparing and eating different varieties of kolukattai.The next festival that immediately follows is Navratri.
Tamilian Navratri is more subdued as compared to other forms of celebration. Called the kolu, it consists of arranging traditional and modern dolls on wooden planks put up for the purpose. Women visit each others's homes, sing songs and offer prasad in which the sundal takes the pride of place. Made from dal and pulses, the sundal could be sweet or spicy. Its that time of the year, when married women offer "vetalai pakku" (haldi kumkum) consisting of betal leaves, turmeric and sindoor to each other.

A week before kolu is due, the men from the house take down from the attic the heavy boxes which contain the dolls. Wooden planks are brought in and arranged like stands in the stadium. The dolls are made of glass, wood and metal and the special, traditional wooden dolls are called marapachi. They are both male and female and are dressed up in colourful and shining clothes.

Another enjoyable aspect of the kolu festival is watching the women sing. They sing in the praise of Goddess Laksmi or Saraswati.

Second last day of the Navratri festival is celebrated as Saraswati pooja where books and other musical instruments are arranged in front of the pooja room. It marks an offering to Goddess Saraswati and students and artists pray in front of the Goddess for success in their career. The last day also called as Vijaydashami is celebrated by adorning new clothes and visiting your respective gurus in the area of dance, music and academics to offer gurudakshina and seek their blessings.

Vijaydashami marks the beginning of a new day and also a day where people offer prayers to attain success, wealth and happiness in the years to come

Thanks & Regards,
Sudhani

[AjayKumar.Kataram]

nice post