Navaratri
is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is a
form of Shakthi who is unbeatable and unconquerable. Navaratri –“Nava” means nine
and “ratri” means night, during these
nine nights and ten days nine forms of Shakthi are worshipped for peace and
prosperity. Navaratri is essential to worship Durga to honour her victory over demons
like Mahishasuran who causing causing misery to Gods and saints. The tenth day
is the ultimate defeat of the demons marking the conquest of good over the
evil. Navaratri this year is celebrated from Oct 5th to Oct 13, 2013.
In Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, a special display of dolls and figurines (Golu)
in the odd numbered steps (padis) will be held in the houses and temples. Golu literally means festival of dolls, usually
arranged in odd number of steps either 3,5,7 or 9 depending on the availability
and capacity. In South India the festival is in honour of the Divine Mother in
the forms of Durga (Goddess of power, bravery and strength), Lakshmi (Goddess
of wealth and prosperity) and Saraswathi (Goddess of knowledge). Special poojas
and prayers are performed on first three days for Goddess Durga, the next three
days for Goddess Lakshmi and the last three days for Goddess Saraswathi.
The Golu predominantly displays dolls of Gods and Goddess of Hindu mythology.
These dolls are usually made of clay and paper mache, it is also a tradition to
display wooden dolls of “Marapaachi” a boy and a girl together. These displays
teach children about the custom and stories about the god.
Little girls beautifully dress up every evening and would go with a
little cup containing kum-kum from house to house and invite the ladies and
girls to visit the Golu. Friends and relatives visit the Golu, hymns are sung,
special prayers performed and offerings like sundal and sweet are made for
Goddess. After a special “Aarthi” this offering is given to the guest as prasad
along with small gift bags which usually includes, kumkum, manjal, betel leaves
etc.
On the 9th day Saraswathi Pooja is celebrated, books and
musical instruments are placed in the pooja and worshipped. Event tools are
placed in the pooja as a part of “Ayudha Pooja”, vehicles are washed and
machines cleaned and poojas are performed for them as well.
The 10th day, “Vijayadasami” marks victory, new and
prosperous beginning. This is the day on which evil was finally destroyed by
good. One or two dolls are usually made
to sleep and then packed safely for the Golu for the next year. These
fascinating facts about Golu is from Wikipedia and other sources.
Rice Varieties
Payasam,Sweets, Vadai Varieties
Wishing you all a very Happy Navaratri.
Nice. Happy Navarathiri.
ReplyDeletewow thats a nice write up abt the festival...
ReplyDeletewow.. nice information.. great collection of recipes..
ReplyDeletevery well explained and nice arrange of recipes..perfect 4 festivall.
ReplyDeletenice write up n festive recipes luks so yummy..
ReplyDeleteThank you friends for you lovely comments....
ReplyDelete