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| Happy Navaratri greetings, 2022 mynameart.com |
Navaratri (''Sanskrit''; a synchrony of two words: ''nava'' meaning nine and “ratri” meaning night) comes four times a year and we give much importance to Sharad Navaratri which is widely held in the fall/Autumn season across India. The three Navaratris are Chaitra Navaratri Paush Navratri and Magha Navratri. The festivity begins on the day of Ashwin (as per Hindu calendar) in September/October. During Navratri in some places tantrik pujas are held to propitiate the Devi.
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| Durga Puja, West Bengal. indiaonlinepages.com |
Navaratri festival is celebrated in different ways across India. In West Bengal and other NE Indian states Durga puja is a major festival and it is symbolic of the victory of the good over the evil- the Triumph of Goddess Durga over asura Mahishasura.
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| Ram Leela festival. .mumbailive.com |
In the southern states it is believed, the goddesses descend on the earth in order to take part in the festival. Celebrations are held normally at nights consecutively for nine nights. It is considered a joyous festivity in which much importance is given to primary goddesses in the Hindu pantheon and it is more or less Shakti worship in many states. Nine different avatars of Shakti are worshiped on each of nine days. In West Bengal Goddess Durga will appear on each day in a different avatar.
Each night during the festival particularly, women will perform puja to one of the nine forms of Goddess. Normally, the nine nights are divided into three sections. The first one is focused on Durga, the goddess of courage and valor who is known to destroy evil forces like demons, etc. The second is invocation of goddess of prosperity Lakshmi and it is followed by worship of goddess of wisdom and art - Saraswati. The festivity also marks prayer for fertility, good rain and successful post monsoon harvest.
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| Mysore city: Dussehra festival. chukkimane.com |
Above image: Mysore or Mysuru city comes alive during the Dussehra festival and it has has a long tradition of celebrating the festivity that began with the Vijayanagar kings in the 15th century. It is a 10-day festival, culminating on Vijayadashami or tenth day. Normally, the festivities will begin began with the royal couple from the Wadiyar family performing a special puja to Goddess Chamundeshwari in the temple on top of the Chamundi Hill at Mysore..........
The 10th day celebration being Dussehra ( Dashera), also known as Vijayadashami in South India, assumes much importance. A major festival in Karnataka, in Mysore city it is celebrated on a grand scale led by the Prince of the Wadiyar royal family. The major venue is the popular Mysore palace which is well illuminated and the idol of Goddess Chamundeswari is taken around on the caparisoned elephant.
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| Vidhyarambam .facebook.com |
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| Koothanoor temple TN Desimap.com |
In the state of Tamil Nadu Golu is part and parcel of Navaratri celebration at home and it is nothing but colorful festive display of dolls of various kinds and figurines invariably related to divinity.
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| Marapachi Bommai. anarghyaa.com |
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| Tamil Nadu: Navarathri Golu display .wikimedia.org |
In Gujarat the festival is altogether a different one- it is nine-night dance festival, right from small villages to cities where people gather in open space each night and celebrate it. In this state religious pilgrimage during this festival season focuses mainly on the Shakti Peethas: Ambaji, Pavagadh and Bahuchraji near Mehsana.
As this festival is celebrated with deep devotion and commitment, we get an opportunity to get a break from the monotonous and routine life and focus on the spiritual aspects. This respite and participation in the festivity instill positivity in our mind that is at peace with our soul.
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