Navratri

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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