Labh Lakshmi

The South Indian Way of Observing Navaratri

Navratri, the nine-night festival, honors Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathi in South India. It is known as Bommla Koluvu in Andhra Pradesh and Navarathri in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Navratri is observed as Dusshera in Karnataka, where it is observed for ten days. The main event during Navrathri in South India is the display of dolls and idols – Kolu and the placing of Kalash, which represents Goddess.

Navratri Vrat or Navaratri Vratam is an important fast observed by Hindus during Ashvin (September – October). It is believed that those devotees who perform Navratri fasting will find happiness on earth and will receive ‘moksha.’ Legend has it that, how to observe the Navarathri Vrat was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her ardent devotee. The Vratam is observed by both men and women and Navratri mantra is repeated during the period.

Navratri Fast

Navadurga – Nine Forms of Goddess Durga Worshiped During Navratri

Navadurga, or Navdurga, are the nine forms of Durga collectively worshipped by Shakti devotees. Scriptures differ in naming the nine incarnations. Pictures and paintings of the Nava-Durga also varies from region to region. The most widely accepted account of the nine forms of Durga is the one found in the Devi Mahatmya – Sailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Maha Gowri and Siddhidayini. The nine forms of Durga are worshipped during the nine days of Navratri.

ronak sweta swati garaba maa shakti baroda

____________________________________
Garaba Ras

Navratri Utsav

It’s dandiya time! Organize a great Navratri party for your kids and their pals!

Music

2 cassettes should be more than enough for your party. Try and get your hands on a Falguni Pathak tape and an Aati Kya Dandiya Mein – Non Stop Disco Dandiya tape.

Invitations

Send out lovely, ethnic invites. You could make them yourself. Cut out cards from an earthen coulour chart paper, and border it with thick ‘mauli’ (red thread). Take some yellow and orange paint and make bunches of three dots on the corner of the card. Make a beautiful Om sign on the top centre of the card, and, with a gold pen, write out the invitation.

Navratri Utsav

It’s October, and that means it’s the month of dance, much and revelry! Navratri is celebrated from the first to ninth date of Ashwin Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Calendar, which usually falls in October. This is essentially a religious festival.

Goddesses Worshiped

During the festival of navratri, the goddess Durga, who is a form of goddess Parvati, is worshiped in her nine forms.

Shaiputri: This daughter of Himavan is worshiped on the first night of Navratri. She sits upon a bull, and carries a trident in one hand, and a lotus in the other.