THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NAVARATRI - PART SEVEN

Dusshera, as the name suggests occurs on the “tenth” day following the Navratri. It is a festival to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and marks the defeat and death of the demon king Ravana in the epic Ramayana. Huge effigies of Ravana are burnt amidst the bangs and booms of firecrackers.

In northern India, especially in Varanasi, Dusshera overlaps with “Ramlila” or “Rama Drama” – traditional plays in which scenes from the epic saga of the mythical Rama-Ravana strife are enacted by professional troupes.

The Dusshera celebration of Mysore in southern India is a veritable extravaganza! Chamundi, a form of Durga, is the family deity of the Maharaja of Mysore. It’s a wonderful scene to watch the grand procession of elephants, horses and courtiers wending a circuitous way to the hilltop temple of Goddess Chamundi!

NAVRATRI CELEBRATIONS IN GUJARAT

Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. Although this festival is celebrated throughout India, nowhere is it performed with more panache and fervor than in Gujarat.

The dance form known as ras garba (also joined sometimes by dandiya, which uses small wooden sticks), comes from Lord Krishna's worship rather than Goddess worship, from the Gop culture of Saurashtra and Kutch. Stories of relationships between Krishna and the Gopis, and their emotions, also often make their way into the ras garba music.

Every year, Navratri festival brings in innovations in music, choreography, and costumes and has enthralled audience with its beauty and cultural tradition. 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NAVRATRI - PART SIX

Mata Siddhidatri is the worshipped on the Ninth Day of Navratri. Maa Durga's ninth form is Maa Siddhdaatri. She is a treasure house of Mystic Powers (Yantra Tantra) and Knowledge (Gyaan). According to some sources she drives on Lion. Other sources say, she is seated on lotus.  Siddhidatri Devi is worshipped by all Gods, Rushis, Muniswaras, Siddha yogis, and all common devotees who want to attain the religious asset.

Kanya puja is also practiced on this day in different parts of India like Punjab, Harayana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The ninth day is also known as ‘Mahanavami.’ On the day, Kanya puja is performed to worship nine young girls. These nine girls symbolize one of the nine forms of goddess Durga. The feet of girls are washed to welcome the goddess and show respect to her. The girls are offered a set of new clothes as a gift from the devotees at the end of the puja. 

Navratri Special - Did you know?

Shri Tripura Sundari 

Tripura in the North-East, which is believed to have been named after the Shakti Peetha that is home to Shri Tripura Sundari near Radhakishorepur village which is a short distance from the town of Udaipur (Not to be confused with city with same name in Rajasthan). This is the spot where Mata Sati's right foot is believed to have fallen. Devi is worshipped her as Shri Tripura Sundari and is worshipped here along with her bhairava Tripuresh.

This Peeth is also called 'Karm Peeth'. There is a small idol of Mata Adha. It is said that Tripura Naresh used to take her while going on hunt or on fight. 

Tripura Sundari Temple Story

There is a famous story. In the 16th century, Dhanymanik used to rule over Tripura. Once he saw Goddess Tripureshwari in his dream. She said that her idol is at a mountain of Chinta village, which he has to bring today. King woke up and ordered this solider to bring the idol. 

The idol was brought till sunrise. As ordered by Goddess, temple was constructed and the idol was established in it. With time she was known as Tripur Sundari.

Tripura Sundari Temple Establishment

Legend has it that king Dhanyamanikya who ruled Tripura in the closing years of the 15th century, had a revelation one night in his dream, ordering him to install Goddess Tripurasundari in the temple that stood on a hilltop near the town of Udaipur. 

The temple was already dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the king was confounded initially, unable to decide how a temple dedicated to Vishnu could have an idol of the consort of Shiva.

 However, the oracle repeated the divine injunction to the king once again the following night, thereafter the ruler decided to obey the ethereal command, notwithstanding the fact that Vishnu and Shiva typified two different sects of religious following. 

Thus, the Tripura Sundari temple came into being in around the year 1501, and is now near about  510 years old. 

Source : wikipedia

 May Mother Tripura Sundari bless us all! 

Jai Mata Di!  

Navratri Celebrations in Punjab

Navratri is celebrated in Punjab by fasting for seven days. Some people live on milk for seven days and break their fast on Ashtami (eighth day) or Navmi (ninth day).  On the eighth day or Ashtami, the fast is broken by worshipping young girls who are believed to symbolize the Goddess herself. The young girls are offered puris (sort of deep-fried Indian bread), halwa (a dessert primarily made of flour and sugar), chanas (Bengal gram) and red chunnis (long scarves).

This festival is predominantly linked with harvest. Non-vegetarian food and liquor is avoided completely. People organize ‘jagrans’ to sing devotional songs all night in praise of the Mother Goddess. 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NAVTRATI - PART FOUR

Maa Kalaratri is the seventh Shakti of Maa Durga. The seventh day of Navratri pooja is dedicated to Durga Kalratri. She is the most violent form of Godess Durga. Durga Kalaratri is the one of the fiercest forms of Maa Durga and her appearance itself evokes fear. This form of Goddess is believed to be the destroyer of all demon entities.

Kalaratri means the One who is “the Death of Kaal”. Here Kaal is dedicated as time & death. Kalaratri is the one who destroys ignorance and removes darkness. This form primarily depicts that life also has dark side – the violent Mother Nature and creates havoc and removes all dirt. She is also known as Shubhankari. In this form, Goddess Kalratri killed Raktabeej who was a demon who could multiply from every drop of his blood which fell on the ground. The Goddess Kaalratri killed him by licking the blood before it could reach the ground and hence conquered him. She endows her devotees with calm and courage.

The complexion of Maa Kalaratri is like dark night with bountiful hair and has four hands. The left two hands holds a cleaver and a torch, and the right two are in the mudras of “giving” and “protecting”. She has necklace is so shining like thunder. She has three eyes which emanate rays like lightning. Flames appear through her nostrils when she inhales or exhales air. Her mount is donkey. Blue,Red, White color should be used to wear on this day.

Navratri Special - Did you know?

In what form do the Japanese worship Maa Laxmi?

Kichijōten who is also known as, Kisshōten, Kudokuten, Laxmi, Mahasri or Sri-Mahadevi is a Japanese female divinity.

 Adapted from the Hindu goddess Laxmi is often shown as a wife or sister of Bishamonten (guardian of the North direction), and is one of the seven Lucky Gods. She is considered to be the goddess of virtue,wealth, happiness, fertility, and beauty.

Japanese belief in Kichijouten was widespread in the Nara period. The painted portrait at Yakushiji (Yakushi-ji  is one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan) were worshiped as a principal image at the kissou keka or New Year's ceremony for welcoming 

good luck and sweeping out bad.

Kichijouten is usually represented as a beautiful Tang-

period court lady, wearing a richly embroidered gown and 

an elaborately jewelled head-dress. She is distinguished from Benzaiten  with whom she is often confused, by the "wish-granting" jewel  held in her left hand, and the lotus in her right. She also makes the gesture (mudra) of charity with her palm open and facing downwards. 

 May Mother Kichijōten bless us all!

 Jai Mata Di!