Navratri is one of the important hindu festival, to
honour Goddess Durga. It is celecbrated with great zeal and enthusiasm for nine whole days and the tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. Navratri literally means Nine Nights. It is celebrated twice in a year which is during summer (March April) and winter (September - October) seasons. People pray to protect from the climate changes and calamities which may spoil the peaceful life on the earth. Origin
History of navratri is described differently in various parts of india. In north india, it is believed that mahishasura, who is the demon worshipped lord shiva and obtained the power of eternity. He took advantage and started to kill innocent people. Lord shiva, brahma an vishnu united all the power and created a divine female warrior. Mahishasura saw the divine goddess durga and got mesmerized. He asked durga to marry him and durga also agrred but kept a condition that he should win over her in battle. Mahishasura agrred and the battle continued for nine days and nights finally durga won mahishasura . Celebrations Goddess Durga is worshipped as Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri and it is also said as nine forms of Shakthi. It is believed that every new day she appears in new form and does new duty.
It is divided into three sets of days, the first three days the mother is adored as durga, who destroys the impurities and defects. The next three days, the goddess is ivoked as Lakshmi, who is considered to be the mother of wealth. And the final three days, the goddess is adored as Saraswathi, who is the mother of wisdom. To get the success in life, we need blessings in all the three aspects. Highlights of Navratri Kolu is the important ritual of navratri in south india whish is the display of small idols of gods.
Fasting is another highlight, where people fast for nine complete days, by eating one meal per day, or only fruit. And also thery avoid non vegetarian. Some of the recipes done in navratri are : Paasi paruppu Sundal (moong dal), Konda kadalai Sundal (chick peas), Pattani Sundal (yellow peas), Black bean Sundal, Pachai payaru Sundal (green moong), Peanut Sundal (kadalai), Sweet Puttu, Banana Chips, Sabudana vada, Aloo Raita, Ramdana (rajgira) ladoo, Soya bean sundal, Karamani Sundal (black eyed peas), Rajma sundal (red kidney beans), Fruits/Fruit Juices. Pooja
On the first day, a bed of mud is kept in the pooja room and barley seeds are planted on it. On the tenth day the shoots are plucked and given to the people who attended the pooja as a blessing from god. On the fifth day, the books are collected and a lamp is kept in fromt of it and the poojas are done. On the eigth day yagna is performed by offering butter, rice pudding and sesame seeds. The ninth day is the Mahanavami, where nine young girls are worshipped during this pooja and each girls legs are washed and new dress are offered from devotees. It is wonderful to see the Hindu people in different parts of India celebrate navratri with great and equal enthusiasm.
Good wishes for a joyous Navratri, With a plenty of peace and prosperity.
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