Navarathri

Navarathri, which means “nine nights,” is a vibrant and significant festival celebrated in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. This festival occurs five times a year: Vasantha Navarathri, Ashad Navarathri, Sharadh Navarathri, Paush Navarathri, and Magha Navarathri. Among these, Sharadh Navarathri holds the highest importance and is often referred to as Maha Navarathri. Celebrated over nine nights and ten days during the Tamil month of Purattasi, Navarathri honors the three primary goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswathy.

The Significance of Each Night

• Days 1-3: Worship of Goddess Durga
  The first three days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, representing power and strength. Devotees pray for courage and the removal of obstacles in their lives.

• Days 4-6: Worship of Goddess Lakshmi
  The next three days are reserved for Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. During this period, devotees seek blessings for abundance and financial stability.

• Days 7-9: Worship of Goddess Saraswathy
  The final three days celebrate Goddess Saraswathy, the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. People pray for educational success and intellectual growth.

The festival culminates in Vijayadasami, a day that symbolizes the victory of good over evil, marked by a grand celebration and rituals.

The Legend of Mahishasuran

The origins of Navarathri trace back to the story of the demon Mahishasuran, who obtained a boon that made him invincible to all but a virgin. This boon led him to conquer the three worlds and terrorize both gods and humans. In response to their pleas for help, the Divine Mother incarnated to vanquish the demon. She performed penance for nine days and nights, receiving powers from the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Empowered as Devi Durga, she defeated Mahishasuran, and thus, the nine nights leading up to Vijayadasami are celebrated as Navarathri.

Navarathri in My Home

Navarathri celebrations in my family begin with my dad purchasing new dolls every year, adding to our collection. A week before the festival, we start preparing to set up the dolls in a visually appealing manner. The first step involves arranging the steps where the dolls will be displayed. Each family member participates in decorating the room with colorful paper flowers and festoons, making the setup process a joyful activity.

On Ammavasai (the no-moon day), my mom draws a beautiful rangoli under the steps and places the marappachi bommai, a traditional wooden doll, symbolizing blessings for newly married daughters. Following this, we arrange the other dolls in a carefully planned sequence.

Arrangement of Dolls

Each step of the doll arrangement holds significance:

1. First Step: Living beings like plants and climbers.
2. Second Step: Two-sensed creatures such as snails and conchs.
3. Third Step: Three-sensed creatures like ants and silverfish.
4. Fourth Step: Four-sensed creatures like crabs and beetles.
5. Fifth Step: Five-sensed animals and birds.
6. Sixth Step: Humans.
7. Seventh Step: Rishis and Siddhars (sages).
8. Eighth Step: Ashtadhik Balargal and Navagraha (the eight directions and nine planetary deities).
9. Ninth Step: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

This arrangement symbolizes the journey of humanity towards divinity through good deeds and spiritual growth.

Navarathri Pooja

Throughout the nine days of Navarathri, we perform daily pooja in the morning, chanting various slokas and singing devotional songs. We offer sundal (a legume-based dish) or payasam (sweet pudding) to the gods, which we later share with friends and relatives during vethalai paaku (a traditional offering of betel leaves). Visiting other homes to admire their kolu (doll display) is also a cherished custom.

On the ninth day, we arrange books and musical instruments in front of the kolu for special pooja, accompanied by a feast that includes vadai and payasam. The following day, Vijayadasami, we celebrate Durga Devi’s victory with more pooja, and the elders bless the family members by giving them books and gifts.

Cherished Memories

Each year, we buy dolls from various places, creating a visual treat for the family. I am grateful to my parents for teaching me and my brother numerous slokas and songs, which enrich our celebrations. I also appreciate my grandfather for sharing stories during power outages and my grandmother for instilling in me the confidence to embrace each moment boldly.

Conclusion

Navarathri is more than just a festival; it is a time for family bonding, spiritual reflection, and the celebration of traditions. As we celebrate this vibrant festival, we cherish the values it instills in us and look forward to creating more beautiful memories together in the years to come.

Nine days of Navarathri

Navarathri  Day 1 

Devi : Maheswari
Flower :Malligai
Neivedhyam :Ven pongal
Thithi  : Pradhamai
Kolam :Draw rangoli by using dry rice flour
Raagam  : Thodi Raagam
Slokam   : Om swethavarnaayai  vidhmahe
soola hasthaayai dheemahi
thanno Maaheshwari Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 2 

Devi: Kowmaari
Flower:Sevvarali
Neivedhyam: Puliyodharai
Thithi: Dwitheeyai
Kolam:maavinal kolam . (Draw rangoli by using wet flour.)
Raagam:kalyaani
Slokam: Om Siki vaahanaaya vidhmahe
Sakthi Hasthaayai Dheemahi
Thanno kowmaari Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 3 

Devi: Vaaraahi
Flower:Champangi
Neivedhyam: Sakkarai pongal
Thithi:thrutheeyai
Kolam:malar  kolam poda vendum . (Draw rangoli by using flowers-pookolam.)
Raagam:kaambhodhi
Slokam: Om Magishathvajaaya vidhmahe
Thanda Hasthaaya Dheemahi
Thanno Vaaraahi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 

Devi:  Lakshmi
Flower: JaathiMalli
Neivedhyam:Kadhamba Saadham
Thithi:chathurthi
Kolam:Atchadhai kondu padikattu pola kolamida vendum (Draw rangoli in shape of steps by using atchatai (mix of rice,turmeric,ghee.))
Raagam:bhairavi
Slokam: Om Padma Vaasinyai cha Vidhmahe
Padmalochanee sa Dheemahi
Thanno Lakshmi prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 5 

Devi:  Vaishnavi
Flower: Paarijaatham & Mullai
Neivedhyam: Curd Rice
Thithi: panchami
Kolam: kadalai maavaal paravai kolam poda vendum (Draw a bird like rangoli by using Bengal gram flour.)
Raagam:panchamaavaranai  keerthanai paada vendum.bandhuvaraali
Slokam: Om Syaamavarnaayai  Vidhmahe
Chakra Hasthaayai Dheemahi
Thanno Vaishnavi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 6 

Devi : Indraani
Flower:Semparuthi
Neivedhyam: Coconut rice
Thithi:sashti
Kolam:kadalai maavinaal Devi naamathai kolamida vendum  (Write the name of the goddess  using Bengal gram flour.)
Raagam:Neelaambari
Slokam: Om Kajathvajaayai vidhmahe
Vajra Hasthaaya Dheemahi
Thanno Iyndree Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 7 

Devi: Saraswathi
Flower:Malligai & mullai
Neivedhyam: Lemon rice
Thithi:Sapthami
Kolam:Narumana malargalaal kolamida vendum (Draw rangoli by using  fragrant flowers-pookolam.)
Raagam:Bilahari
Slokam: Om Vaakdevyai  vidhmahe
Vrinji pathnyai sa Dheemahi
Thanno Vaani Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 8 

Devi: Durga
Flower:Roja
Neivedhyam: Paayasa annam
Thithi:ashtami
Kolam:padma kolam  (Draw traditional lotus shaped rangoli)
Raagam:punnagavaraali
Slokam: Om Magisha mardhinyai vidhmahe
Durga devyai Dheemahi
Thanno Devi Prachodayaath

Navarathri  Day 9 

Devi: Saamundaa
Flower:Thaamarai
Neivedhyam: Akkaravadisal
Thithi:navami
Kolam:Vaasanai podigalal aayudham pola kola mida vendum (Draw weapon shaped rangoli  by using fragrant  powder.)
Raagam:vasantha raagam
Slokam: Om Krishna varnaayai vidhmahe
Soola Hasthaayai Dheemahi
Thanno Saamundaa Prachodayaath

Vijaya dasami 

Devi: Vijaya
Flower: Malligai,Roja
Neivedhyam: sakkarai pongal, sweets
Thithi: dasami
Slokam: Om Vijayaa devyai  vidhmahe
Mahaa Nithyaayai Dheemahi
Thanno Devi Prachoday

Happy Dussehra!!!!

Link For Neivedhyam recipes

1. Pachai pattani Sundal
2. Vellai Kondakadalai Sundal
3. Sweet Ragi puttu
4. Chadha chadhayam
5. Paal payasam
6. Arisi thengai payasam
7. Jaggery rice/Sweet rice
8. Sakkarai Pongal
9. Sabudhana Kichdi
10. Sabudhana Vada
11. Paanagam

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