Shardiya/Ashwin Navratri and First day-Rohit Kumar Parmar

Maa Shailputri

(26.09.2022)

Shardiya/Ashwin Navratri and First day-Rohit Kumar Parmar

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शैलपुत्री रूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै, नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।

ओम् शं शैलपुत्री देव्यै: नम:।

Maha/Navratri (nau ratri or nine nights) is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, epitome of Shakti/Devi form of worship. During these nine nights and ten days, Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine different forms, known as Navdurga. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, when idols of Goddess Durga are immersed into a water body.

Navratri is celebrated on the first nine days of Shukla paksha (waxing moon) of Ashwin month of Vikram calendar, corresponding to September/October of the Gregorian calendar.

Goddess Shailputri was born after Goddess Sati immolated herself and is the most important of the nine forms of Durga, which is why she is worshipped on the first day. Shailputri - the daughter of Himalaya (‘Shail’ meaning mountain and ‘Putri’ meaning daughter, is also known as Hemavati and Parvati. Just like Goddess Sati, Shailputri, is also married to Lord Shiva.

Goddess Shailputri is depicted riding a bull, with a trident in one hand, and a lotus in the other. Goddess Shailputri loves white. and is worshiped with white flowers white clothes and white sweets are also offered.

On the first day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is invoked into a Kalash (pitcher) with vedic rituals and chanting of Mantras. The invocation and dwelling of Goddess Durga into the Kalash is known as Ghata-sthapana or Kalash-sthapana.

In West Bengal, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja. The last four days of Durga Puja are Shashti Puja, Durga Saptami, Durga Ashtami and Durga Navami. Kalpārambha (Kalp-Arambha) is done on the sixth day of Navratri, and is symbolically the same as Ghata-sthapana or Kalash-sthapana. Puja activities take place around well-decorated and themed pandals that house the clay idols of Maa Durga.

In Gujarat, dance forms of Raas Garba and Dandiya in the evening/night are the main activity, alongwith fasting and rituals during the day.

In the Punjab, 'Kanjak' puja is an important part of Navaratri or ‘Navratra’.

In North/West India, ‘Ramlila’ an enactment of Ramayana is done during Dussehra. 'Jaagrans' (staying awake all night praying) and 'Mata ki Chowki' (group prayers for Mata or mother Goddess) are an integral part of the celebrations.

In Tamil Nadu, step/s display (kolu) of goddesses 'Golu' is made with decorative rangoli. Two dolls decorated as bride and groom (God and his Consort) are placed on the highest step, of the eleven (or other auspicious number). Other dolls made of clay, wood, stone, metal, etc., some painted with bright colours are placed on the other steps. Golu dolls depict mythological characters, animals and people.

Goddesses Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati, are worshipped. Ninth day of Navrathri is celebrated as Saraswati puja, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. Musical instruments, books and other instruments are also placed and decorated before the Kolu and worshiped with flowers. Gifts including fresh flowers, betel leaf, coconut, comb, haldi-kumkum, bindi, ornaments and chudiya (bangles) are exchanged.

On Vijayadashami as per the rituals, one of the idols is laid to rest from the embellished Kolu toys signifying the end of Navratri.

There is vedic chants accompanied with classical dance performances of Mohiniattam and Bharatanatyam, also performed in temples, shrines, palaces and community centres.

In several villages of South Tamil Nadu, Pulikali (tiger dance) is performed. Performers paint themselves as tigers — donning bright yellow and black — and dance to the beats of instruments. Kai Silambu Attam (a dance form) is performed in temples where the dancers wear ankle-bells and hold anklets or silambu in their hands.

Mysore is the hub of grand Dussehra festivities, a tradition started in 1610. The most important part of the celebration is the procession of decorated elephants, camels and horses and the parade on Vijayadashami. The Mysore Palace is illuminated and cultural and religious programmes are held. On the ninth day of the festival, a procession of Goddess Chamundeshwari, placed on a huge golden top is taken out.

In Kerala it’s a secular celebration known as Vidhya-Aarambham (beginning of education) on Vijayadashami, to initiate a child by writing letters on rice or sand. The Poojavaipuu ritual is performed where any kind of study or work is put on hold. Books and tools are kept in front of goddess Saraswati. Major celebrations are held in the Panachikkadu Saraswati Temple in Kottayam and Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

In Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, Bathukamma festival (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site/post/bathukamma-%E0%B0%AC%E0%B0%A4-%E0%B0%95%E0%B0%AE-%E0%B0%AE-navaratrulu-25-09-2022-rohit-kumar-parmar ) is celebrated.

In Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, on Dussehra day, people exchange Apta (Bauhinia racemosa, this is a native Indian tree) leaves calling it 'sona', (metaphorically looted from each other) which are twin leaves and fold like a book. They offer 4 to 5 leaves first to God and then to elders.

Apta leaves exchanged as Sona on Dussehra