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🌺 Durga destroys enemies – internally and externally.
🌹 Lakshmi bestows prosperity in the mundane world and gives us spiritual upliftment.
🌼 Saraswati, the personification of the ‘One Knowledge’, kindly guides to ‘Self Realization’.
Saraswati is the goddess of learning, arts, and cultural fulfillment, as well as the consort of Brahma, the creator. She is cosmic intelligence, cosmic consciousness, and cosmic knowledge.
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, fertility, and material fulfillment, as well as the consort of Vishnu, the maintainer or preserver. However, Lakshmi does not signify mere material wealth, but also abstract prosperity, such as glory, magnificence, joy, exaltation, and greatness.
Parvati, or in her demon-fighting aspect, Kali is the goddess of power, beauty, love, and spiritual fulfillment, as well as the consort of Shiva, the destroyer of evil or transformer.
Together they form Adishakti. To kill the demon Mahishasura the tridevis took the form of Durga.
Tridevi
In the Shaktha dharma the feminine Tridevi goddesses are given the eminent roles, with the masculine Trimurti gods being relegated as agents of the feminine Tridevi.Saraswati is the goddess of learning, arts, and cultural fulfillment, as well as the consort of Brahma, the creator. She is cosmic intelligence, cosmic consciousness, and cosmic knowledge.
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, fertility, and material fulfillment, as well as the consort of Vishnu, the maintainer or preserver. However, Lakshmi does not signify mere material wealth, but also abstract prosperity, such as glory, magnificence, joy, exaltation, and greatness.
Parvati, or in her demon-fighting aspect, Kali is the goddess of power, beauty, love, and spiritual fulfillment, as well as the consort of Shiva, the destroyer of evil or transformer.
Together they form Adishakti. To kill the demon Mahishasura the tridevis took the form of Durga.
Importance of Tridevi
Shakti or Vimarsh is the power that is latent in pure consciousness, required to reach pure consciousness and essential to create, sustain and destroy. Just as Energy can never be created nor be destroyed, but changes from one form to another; Devi took many incarnations to do different tasks. God is both male and female. But all different forms of energy or powers of God are with the Trimurti in the form of Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi, and Mahakali.
That is to say, a non-dimensional God creates this world through Srishti-Shakti (Mahasaraswati or Sound or knowledge), preserves through Sthiti-Shakti (Mahalakshmi or Light or resources), and destroys through Samhara-Shakti (Mahakali or Heat or Strength).
So True Energy or Adi Shakti does everything on God's behalf.
That is to say, a non-dimensional God creates this world through Srishti-Shakti (Mahasaraswati or Sound or knowledge), preserves through Sthiti-Shakti (Mahalakshmi or Light or resources), and destroys through Samhara-Shakti (Mahakali or Heat or Strength).
So True Energy or Adi Shakti does everything on God's behalf.
We have four Navaratris celebrated in a year – Paushya, Vasantha, Aashada and Sharada Navarathri.
❶ Paushya Navarathri falls in the Pushya month – January/February.
❷ Vasantha Navarathri in the spring – March.
❸ Aashada Navarathri in the Aashada month – July/August.
❹ Saradha Navarathri is the most popular and widely celebrated one, falling in the early Autumn season, during the months of September / October.
Every Navarathri has its own significance and a Presiding Deity.
Why celebration?
💫 This Sharadh Navaratri is widely celebrated as the commemoration of the death of Mahishasura and the victory of Divine Shakthi.💫 When, Lord Vishnu took the decision to create a woman to defeat Mahishasura since as per Lord Brahma’s boon, none but only a woman can defeat the demon. Mahishasura attacked the Trilok – earth, heaven, and hell.
💫 After the three powerful Gods—Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva — created Goddess Durga, she fought with Mahishasura for fifteen long days. It was a fight that shook the trilok—earth, heaven, and hell.
💫 During the fight, the clever Mahishasura kept changing his form to confuse his opponent- Goddess Durga. Ultimately, when the demon took the form of a buffalo, the Goddess Durga pierced his chest with her ‘Trishul’, killing him right at that moment.
💫 Each year, on each day of Navratri, an incarnation of “Goddess Durga” is worshipped to celebrate the day of her victory over Mahishasura, and the ultimate victory of ‘Good over Evil.”
💫 Each year, on each day of Navratri, an incarnation of “Goddess Durga” is worshipped to celebrate the day of her victory over Mahishasura, and the ultimate victory of ‘Good over Evil.”
What is the importance of Navarathri?
Shakthi – the divine power personified as the mother is propitiated these nine days, for destruction of internal enemies like lust, anger and greed; for prosperity and well-being in the physical and the spiritual planes.Her infinite Grace, makes her popular among men as a benign goddess. Her ferocious anger and form that destroys the evil doers and protects her devotees gives peace of mind to us, that there is Amba to take care of us.
9 days of worship to the Mother Goddess Durga, the source of energy helps us get rid of evils of our own life. The real rakshasas are our ego, sorrow, greed, jealousy etc which should be killed by ourselves. The 10 days (including Vijaya Dasami) refers to 10 evils.
1) Kama (Lust): Better known to be a sensuous appetite regarded as sinful.
2) Krodh (Anger): Anger or Krodh is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure and hostility.
3) Lobh (Greed): Greed is an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power and food.
4) Moh (Attachment): affection, fondness, or sympathy for someone or something is Moh or Attachment.
5) Ahankar (Ego): Ahankar (Ego) is a person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance.
6) Darr (Fear): Fear or Darr is a mixed feeling of dread and reverence caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
7) Irsha (Jealousy): Irsha, also called as- Jealousy the state or feeling of being jealous.
8) Jadta (Inertia): Inertia- Jadta is a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.
9) Nafrat (feel): Nafrat-hate is a feeling of intense dislike, criticism and abuse.
10) Paschataap (Guilty): Guilty is culpable or responsible for specified wrongdoing.
It is believed that if someone worships the Goddess Durga with all her/his hearts, then the mother destroys these ten evils and succors peace to the worshiper. Therefore, in order to please the Mother Shakti to get her immense blessings on the special nine days of Navratri, one should observe fasts for nine divine days. Each day we take commitment to destroy one evil from our selves. On the tenth day, we celebrate Vijaya Dasami, i.e. win over all these negativity.
Amba herself has ordained us with the duty of propiating Her during these nine days. She, in Devi Mahatmya - 12th Chapter, Herself details on the merits of doing Navarathri pooja.
Sarath kale maha pooja
kriyathe yaa cha varshiki,
Thasyam mamaithan mahathmyam
sruthwa bhakthi samanwitha.,11
Sarva badhavi nirmuktho
dana dhanya suthanvitha,
Manushyo math prasaadena
bavishyathi na samsaya.,12
Meaning:
There is no doubt that, in the great prayers of Sharada Navarathri and Vasantha Navarathri, those who hear fully this story of my greatness, because of my grace and blessing would be free of all great problems.
One to propitiate the Devi as the Divine power within him for the destruction of Mahishasura, personification of the vices inside him, and obtain Her Grace is the whole aim of this festival and the vows going with it. If a man strives for the preeti of the Goddess and achieves it, blessed is He, as there is nothing more that is needed by Him.
GOLU
✦ Golu or Kolu also has a significant connection with the agricultural and handicrafts professions in India. Besides the economic aspect of the festival, it is an important occasion for socializing.
✦ During this season relatives and friends in south India make it a point to visit each other's homes. This is also a very important occasion that promotes creative expression for women and for the family to work together on an aesthetic aspect.
✦ One of them has a significant connection with agriculture. It is said that in order to encourage desilting of irrigation canals, Golu was celebrated to create demand for clay materials.
✦ One of them has a significant connection with agriculture. It is said that in order to encourage desilting of irrigation canals, Golu was celebrated to create demand for clay materials.
✦ Golu is symbolic of the feminine power and symbolizes that everything on earth has one creator.
⬗ During the Golu, all girls and women of neighbours, friends and relatives invited and honor them by gifting Thamboolam (betel leaves, coconuts, fruits), flowers, bangles, turmeric, kumkum and prasadam.
⬗ It is an ideal time for families to display their creativity. The festival is a delightful reminder of the rich and colorful historical and cultural heritage of India! A glorious occasion to eat and meet in harmonious communion!
Significance of Navarathri Golu
The Navratri Golu depicts scenes from ancient times - celebrated Indian stories that have been passed on from generation to generation like the Ramayana, Puranas, and the Dashavataram. This is the time of the year that you revisit those precious lessons from timeless, age-old stories. The steps may also be interpreted as the evolution ladder that we are all traversing in the journey of life.How Golu is to be displayed?
The dolls are placed on multiple steps in the house. The numbers could vary from one to 11 (only odd numbers) depending on the number of dolls available for display. Many families place nine steps, each step representing the nine days of Navarathri. Some keep three, five or seven steps as well. The steps are covered with a decorative cloth, and the dolls are placed on it.Decorate the steps of Navaratri Golu
The first step is decorated with a kalasam, a water-filled jar is decorated with a coronet of mango leaves with a coconut placed on top of it. Idols of deities and dolls are placed in the steps. The dolls of Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and the (wooden dolls) traditional Marapachi Bommai are always a part of the arrangement.The next few steps have idols of saints and heroes of the country. One of the steps represents human activities - depicting functions such as marriage, temples, and an orchestra or music band.
Business is usually represented by the Chettiar set of dolls, with shop items and the Marapachi couple dressed in colorful clothes.
It is a custom to add at least one new doll every year. The Golu could be a mode of telling ancient stories such as Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita or it could simply depict the evolution of life from animals to the sages and seers.
⬗ On the auspicious day of Amavasai (no moon), the Navarathri preparations start by setting up the steps, decorating the homes and temples, and lighting the streets. The nine days of Navarathri start the day after this.
⬗ On the Ninth day, Saraswati Devi, the Goddess of learning and knowledge, is worshipped. People place books and musical instruments next to the Golu arrangement. Ayudai pooja (worship and thanksgiving to tools and implements and vehicles) is performed. Gratitude is expressed for all kinds of vehicles (such as buses, cars, and trucks) and tools (such as water pumps, chisels, hammers, and the plow).
⬗ On the tenth and last day, Vijayadasami, the day of victory, is celebrated. This is considered the most auspicious day of all - to start new ventures and journeys, and a day to start learning new skills.
It is a custom to add at least one new doll every year. The Golu could be a mode of telling ancient stories such as Ramayana or Bhagavad Gita or it could simply depict the evolution of life from animals to the sages and seers.
How many days the Golu is worshipped?
⬗ The Navratri Golu can be kept between three and nine days, and the assembly of dolls is worshipped twice each day.⬗ On the auspicious day of Amavasai (no moon), the Navarathri preparations start by setting up the steps, decorating the homes and temples, and lighting the streets. The nine days of Navarathri start the day after this.
⬗ On the Ninth day, Saraswati Devi, the Goddess of learning and knowledge, is worshipped. People place books and musical instruments next to the Golu arrangement. Ayudai pooja (worship and thanksgiving to tools and implements and vehicles) is performed. Gratitude is expressed for all kinds of vehicles (such as buses, cars, and trucks) and tools (such as water pumps, chisels, hammers, and the plow).
⬗ On the tenth and last day, Vijayadasami, the day of victory, is celebrated. This is considered the most auspicious day of all - to start new ventures and journeys, and a day to start learning new skills.
⬗ On this day, the Golu dolls are symbolically put to sleep, and then, packed the day after. Till they are brought out of their boxes the following year.
The Traditions Surround the Navaratri Golu
⬗ Daily celebrations with Lighting lamps, drawing colorful kolams (rangoli or floor decoration), performing aarti, recite slokas, Parayanams and offer special dishes, especially a protein-rich dish called sundal (made of legumes), with some sweets and fruits every day.
⬗ During the Golu, all girls and women of neighbours, friends and relatives invited and honor them by gifting Thamboolam (betel leaves, coconuts, fruits), flowers, bangles, turmeric, kumkum and prasadam.
⬗ It is an ideal time for families to display their creativity. The festival is a delightful reminder of the rich and colorful historical and cultural heritage of India! A glorious occasion to eat and meet in harmonious communion!
⬗ It is an ideal time for families to display their creativity. The festival is a delightful reminder of the rich and colorful historical and cultural heritage of India! A glorious occasion to eat and meet in harmonious communion!
Delicacies of Navarathri
Following are the 9 days Neivedhyam, Flower to be used for puja etc.,
Lalitha pattabishekam
May the Generous Goddess Durga brighten our life with countless blessings.
We all hope our prayers bring happiness and prosperity.
Happy Sharada Navratri 2021 to you all!
