Navratri - Festival of Nine Nights
The Durga prayers include
selected Sholokas of Durga Saptashudi which are called
Saptashaloki Durga and are recited by devotees daily. These
sholakas have been included in Vijeshar Panchang:
· Gyaninam Api Chetaansi
Devi Bhagvati Hi Saa
Balaat Aakrsihya Mohaaya Mahaamaya Prayachhati
· Durgay Smritaa Harasi Bheetim Ashaisha Janto
Swasthai Smrita Matm Ateeva Shubhaam Dadaasi
Daaridra Dukh Bhaya Haarni Kaa Twadanya
Sarvopa Kaar Karnaya Sdaarda Chita
· Sarvamangala Mangalyai Shivaay Sarvartha Sadhikay
Sharanyai Trambikay Gauri Narayani Namastutay
· Sharnaagata Deenarta Paritraana Paraayanai
Sarva Syaarta Haray Devi Narayani Namostutay
· Sarvaswaroopay Sarvaishay Sarva-Shakti-Samanvitay
Bhayi-Bhyaa Traadhi No Devi Durgay Devi Namostutay
· Rogaan Ashaishaan
Apahansi Tushtaa
Rushta Tu Kaamaan Sakalaan Abheeshtaan
Twaam Aashritaanaam Na Vipat Naraanaam
Twaam Aashritaa Hyaa Shrayataam Prayanti
· Sravaa Baadhaa Prashamanam
Trilokya Syaa
Akhilaishwari Ayvam Ayva Twayaa
Karyam Asmay Vyri Vinaashanam
On the eighth day, regarded
as "Ashtami", most of the Hindus perform "Kanjak"
in which they carry out pooja and hold a seating for girls
(mainly seven in number) who they consider Goddess (Maa)
in disguise.
Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess
and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshipper.
This ritual is performed in most parts of the country. Another
important ritual of this festival is Shastra Ayudhi Puja
wherein the most important article of the household is worshipped.
In earlier days, the soldiers used to worship their weapons
on this day.
The ninth day, which is
called Ram Navmi, is again a day of traditional celebrations.
On this day, havans are performed especially at temples
dedicated to Lord Rama. Some of the Hindus also sow barley
in a pot on first day of Navratra and keep it at a sacred
place, they water it daily and offer prayers. The household
keeps fast and taking meals one time only. On the ninth
day, the barley plants are kept for display of the devotees
as a symbolic image of Goddess Durga. These plants are later
immersed in rivers. A good growth of plants symbolizes the
acceptance of prayers by Goddess Durga and her happiness,
which is sure to bring happiness and prosperity to those
involved.
The devotee keeps fasts
(vrat) until they spot the moon or by restricting their
eating to one time only. This one time eating includes
either proper meal (without garlic, onions and non-veg)
or meal exclusively for navratras (without wheat flour and
above mentioned eatables), etc.
This festival of Navratri
is auspicious for all the Hindus in the world. This
also paves way for the tenth day, also known as Vijaya
Dasami (day of Victory over evils). This day is also
known as Dussera which is significant to launch new activities
or beginning of learning. It signifies the victory of good
over evil. On this day, Lord Rama had killed Ravana (the
demon). Thus this festival leads to another imperative festival
signifying end of ills of society.
Celebrations
In Tamil Nadu, the
first three days are dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi,
Goddess of wealth and prosperity, wherein they perform puja,
every night and regular cleaning is maintained all throughout
because it is believed that Lakshmi would not enter if the
place is filthy. The next three days to Saraswati, Goddess
of learning and arts and the last three days to Shakti (Durga).
In Punjab, Navaratri
is taken as a period of fasting. In Gujarat, the
evenings and nights are occasions for the fascinating Garba
dance. The women dance around an earthen lamp wherein centric
goddess Durga is placed, all of them including males sing
devotional songs accompanied by rhythmic clapping of hands.
Garba is sign of happiness and relief from the demon, which
was expressed in the earlier times by the people. Clapping
is the form of thanking and giving gratitude to goddess
Durga, as she had saved the entire world from the atrocities
of the Mahisasur.
All the nine days of the 'Navratri' females as well as males ,dress up in a very traditional
manner, males wear kediyu (mini frilly frock with strings
on sides) and females with choli and gareras with their
dupatta's covering their heads, after which they really
look like Indian dolls. Covering of heads represent the
females shyness from the males.
In northern India, the
festival wears the colourful garb of Ramlila wherein various
incidents from Rama's life are enacted, as is the destruction
of Ravana and Bharat Milap, that is the reunion of Ram and
his estranged brother Bharat, on the former's return to
Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. In the Kulu valley in Himachal
Pradesh, the hill- folk celebrate Dasara with a grand mass
ceremony wherein village deities are taken out in elaborate
processions. The Dasara of Mysore is also quite famous where
caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through
the gaily-dressed streets of the city. Like other festivals
in the country, Dasara / Durga
Puja is an occasion for festivities on a grand scale,
which emanate a genuine feeling of bonhomie and warmth.
In West Bengal, Navratri
is celebrated as 'Durga-pooja'
which is the most important festival in that part of India.
Celebrations of Durga-pooja in Bengal are similar to celebration
of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra. Idols of Goddess Durga
are worshipped for nine days in beautifully decorated 'pandaals'.
It is a public festival. On the tenth day, the 'Visarjan'
or immersion of idols in the sea is performed.
In various parts of India,
the 'Ram-Leela' is performed during Navratri. Ram-Leela
is a stage enaction of the Ramayana, the mythological book
on Lord Rama. The day after Navratri, i.e. 'Dussehra'
( tenth day) or 'Vijayadashmi'
is observed . It is believed that on this day, Lord Rama
had killed the demon Ravana. So, on Vijayadashmi, effigies
of Ravana are burnt all over India. It marks the victory
of good over evil.
Divine Power
An Auspicious Time
Feasts of great variety and delicacy are offered to guests
and family during the nine days.
For women, Navaratri is a time for shopping for new clothes
and new pots. It is an auspicious time to buy gold or jewellery
and the gold markets are open late each night. Women dress
elaborately each day for the puja or rituals and nightly
dances.
Article by Pawandeep
