I mentioned in my 'Postcard from India' that I arrived slap bang in the middle of the Navratri festival. I wondered if anyone would be interested to hear about some of my impressions and expereiences?
anyway, in the hope that you are, I thought I would explain something about this festival. Navratri means Nine nights - and it is a Goddess festival. I believe that in most parts of India the Goddess is worshipped in Her three main aspects: for three nights as Kali, the Destroyer of Egos; for three nights at Lakshmi, Goddess of Abundance and Good Fortune; finally as Saraswati, Goddess of Wisdom and Learning and Music.
On the last day, here in Tamil Nadu at least, houses are cleaned and then a puja (worship) is done inside the house to include all household appliances (fridge, cooker, water pump etc) and all vehicles. children place their school books and pencils on their 'altar' and these are blessed and worshipped.
I believe that in the North of India Navratri is celebrated twice a year, in October or thereabouts and in April/May. Here in the South it seems to be just the once. About four years ago I was in Varanasi (also known as Benares) in the Spring and for the first morning of Navratri my landlady and her daughter took me to nine different Goddess temples (we started at 4am). For the rest of the day we took only fruit and water. Unfortunately no one told me I was supposed to fast on the ninth day also!
As a devotee of the Mother in all Her manifestations, I love this festival. It conjures powerful energies - this year I was totally knocked for six on my arrival in the middle of the festival, but the last night saw me participating in the Goddess pujas in both the nearby Ramana Maharshi ashram and the huge Shiva temple in Tiruvannamalai town. JAI MA!
Namaste
Sunanda xxxx
RE: Navratri
Thanks, Sunanda, it's really interesting to get an account 'on the scene' of what is actually practised. Even a typical tourist wouldn't tune in to that and would probably just travel right through it, oblivious to it all.
Since 'Hinduism' isn't really one thing, I wonder if Navratri IS practised/celebrated by almost everybody where you are, or just some people?
Venetian xxx
RE: Navratri
Hi Sunanda
I love navratri as well especially cause both my husband and I love playing the garba and raas and we always try and go in a group of friends to make it even more fun. I love dressing up as well and these sorts of occasions are the only time i get to wear my sari's and indian suits. I am looking forward to dressing up on Diwali as well.
When we were young we used to rush home to finish homework, have dinner and then get ready to go to garba. We'd go every night and go to school tired and legs hurting. By day 4 or so we'd be used to it and hate it that the fun had to end soon.
I was in India 5 years ago during Navratri in Mumbai and was very disappointed in how they played there. It was all too commercial and film based and Falguni Pathak (famous singer) was singing. I really thought that it was be played auspiciously but there was no mataji's mud nor did they do an aarti in the end of it. Maybe cause it was in mumbai but it was nice that it was out in the open and nice to ppl in traditional indian clothing. Girls these days here use it as an opportunity to pick up boys....
Anyway have an enjoyable stay for the rest of your time
RE: Navratri
Hi Rakhee
I love playing the garba and raas
I'm afraid I have to confess that I don't know what this means. I don't believe they do this in Tamil Nadu. What happens here is that a murthi (processional deity ie made of metal) is taken out of the inner sanctum (which is I believe called the garbagraha....does it mean 'womb'?) and then each evening is decorated as a different Goddess and then a puja is performed - with the Goddess being fed, whisked with a flywhisk, shown her battle flag, shield etc. Finally the arati with flame. Unfortunately we don't have mataji's mud - sounds great but what do you do with it? Here boys and girls are very unsophisticated and don't flirt very much. Luckily though this means there is little 'eve teasing' or sexual harassment of the girls by the boys. Mind you, sometimes drama happens - the lady who brings flower malas to my house every morning for my personal puja is in pieces because her 22 year old daughter ('she has a degree') has run off with a no good village boy of 19. Horror. Love matches are very much frowned upon here but then this is just a little town (only 100,000 population!!)
After Diwali the next BIG festival is Karthigai Deepam. This is just for Tamil Nadu (I think) and is based here where I am at Tiruvannamalai. This is the one I stay up late for - and get aching legs because of walking round the town with the Gods every night for a week!
Much love
Sunanda xxx
PS Sorry, David, forgot to thank you for your kind words.
RE: Navratri
Hi Sunanda
Navratri means 9 nights of dancing. Garba is dancing in around in a circle clapping and raas is the stick dance. Everyone here is crazy abt it and we don't just don't have it during navratri. I know we have a raas garba event happening during Diwali.
I am sure you'd see this in other parts of India.
Whats the weather like at the moment?
RE: Navratri
Thanks Rakhee. Dancing would be great but they don't do it here, I'm afraid. Here in Tamil Nadu we're on the edge of the North East monsoon and it's been raining a LOT. Otherwise it's already hot and humid but nothing like it will be by April.
David - the festivals are celebrated - to a degree - by most Hindus. Some are more religiously inclined than others, just as some Christians go to church every week and some don't go at all but still 'celebrate' Christmas in a fairly secular manner.
Naturally the Muslims and Indian Christians don't go to the temples. Most Hindus go quite often and usually have some kind of little shrine in their homes. Like I said, some are 'believers' some not.
Love
Sunanda xxx
RE: Navratri
I remember when we were first married, my in-laws took me to Garba - I was almost shell shocked by the event - so much fun was had by all, the women leading the dancing round in a big circle, lots of colour, music and laughter. They certainly had a fantastic time, a big social event looked forward to by all.
My in-laws go every year, and really enjoy it. They also follow the strict eating that goes with Navrati (Vegetarian only? - I know my hubbies mum rings him to tell him, and he completely disregards it!! lol).
Sounds like you are having a great time, Sunanda. We are hoping to go to India possibly next year, I havent yet been and have been married to an Indian for nearly 15 years! We keep waiting until the children are old enough...........We will be too old soon!!
Karen x