Sarasvati Namastubhyam Varade Kaama-Ruupini |
Vidya[a-A]arambham Karissyaami Siddhir-Bhavatu Me Sadaa ||

Meaning:
1: Salutations to Devi Saraswati, Who is the giver of Boons and fulfiller of Wishes,
2: O Devi, when I begin my Studies, Please bestow on me the capacity of Right Understanding, always.

This is the chant that we grew up listening to, at home everyday! So is the celebrations of Navaratri to me. A very special and a tremendous amount of joy, happiness and positivity surrounded by.
It’s main significance is the Victory of Good over evil. And it’s a celebration of ma Durga, the Shakti!

Sharadiya Navratri and Climate Connection

This Sharadiya Navratri falls in the month of end of September, October- November, during which the season changes gradually from monsoon to autumn to winter, which is an important climate change junction and our immune system get affected seasonally. Weather now on becomes gentle as northern hemisphere receives least amount of sunlight and the days get shorter and nights longer. This is when it’s important to keep ourselves busy with meditation, chants, bhajans, be healthy and fit with exercise and practice intermittent or regular fasting. Hence this SharanNavaratri is also interconnected with health, seasonal climate change and biological, ecological cycles!

Nava Durga Avatars and Significance

I feel this is very special as we celebrate the nine avatars of Durga, which is also a celebration of nature, the self confidence, the strength, the celebration of a mother, the celebration of woman, her charm, inner peace and beauty! The 9 avataras are:
1. Shailaputri – Signify to appreciate Goddess of Nature.
2. Brahmacharini – Signify to appreciate knowledge and determination.
3. Chandraghantha – Signify to appreciate overcoming physical and mental sufferings.
She is also a representation of peace and serenity.
4. Kushmanda – Signify to appreciate the contribution to the creation of the universe.
5. Skandamata – Signify to appreciate wisdom.
6. Katyayani – Signify to appreciate power, energy and a fighter who fight against the evil spirit.
7. Kaalratri – Signify to remove ignorance as well as darkness in the lives of her devotees.
She is also associated with the dark side of nature and is responsible for nature-related destruction.
8. Mahagauri – Signify that life will have sufferings, challenges, sadness but face those and move on with purest mind and courage. Else, life will be dull!
9. Siddhidatri – Signifies as the remover of ignorance and has the ability to show her devotees the realization of the divine.

Appreciate Every Small Thing In Life!

It’s a celebration and appreciation of every small creature around us, every small things surrounding us, celebration of colors, arts, music, knowledge, education, folklore and what not?!! That’s the beauty of Indian culture. Our ancestors knew how to appreciate everything and be grateful to everything. They beautifully represented importance of art and craft in our daily lives, keep us busy with hobbies other than daily life routines and karma! White, Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Green, Orange, Grey, Pink, and Peacock green are the 9 colors of Navaratri, again signifying different perspectives of purity & innocence, passion & love, calmness, happiness, growth, emotions, warmth, uniqueness, love & affection, harmony etc.!

art-colors-knowledge

Ma Sharada

At our native, this festival is celebrated with great devotion to Ma Sharada, who represent the knowledge and wisdom. Saraswati or Sharada Pooja is very popular in our coastal region with everyone worshipping books, Sharada idol, kids starting their ‘Aksharabhayasa’ – the first writing as a mark of their journey to ocean of knowledge. At schools in our times, we used to celebrate this with great charm and singing bhajans.

Pili Vesha

Pili Vesha, (Tulu: ಪಿಲಿ ಏಸ) “Tiger Masque” is a folk dance unique in coastal Karnataka.
This and other varieties of Masque/veshas are worn and different type of folk dance is performed during Navratri/Marnemi; appreciating the folklore of the place. Pili Vesha is to honour the Goddess Durga whose favored animal is the tiger.

Guru Vandana and Ayudha Pooja

People also remember the importance of teachers with ‘Guru Vandana’ during this time. Also every art, any vehicle, ornaments, every instrument, be it musical or any other is worshipped and appreciated while this festive season is on. It may be called Ayudha pooja, Durga Ashtami or Maha Navami or Saraswati Pooja, Vijaya Dashami, Dasara or Vidya Dashami; everything has its own importance in life and knowledge is base of all of these!

Books Art-Painting-Knowledge Music

Gombe Habba

In recent years, I have also heard of celebration of Dasara with ‘Gombe Habba’ , Golu or Bombe Habba, which is mostly observed in Mysore side of Karnataka since Vijayanagara Kingdom. They say that Goddess Durga waged war against the demon Mahishasura. In order to help her all the Gods and Goddesses gave her all their powers. As the Gods and Goddesses became powerless, they stood as statues. In order to pay respect to the sacrifice, people worship in the form of dolls. I definitely wanted to enjoy this celebration with my friend but could not make it this year!. It’s also a form of paying respect to the crafts and rich cultural heritage. Along with Pattada Gombe, few also worship toys, any kind of crafts etc.

Scooter-Craft-Toy

Overall this festival symbolizes that, it’s always important to appreciate and respect every small thing in life. It also reminds us that there’s always a victory for good over the evil, so do good and be good. Strive to gain knowledge and be thankful to the teachers and parents for their blessings and contribution.

This year’s Dasara celebration was special and filled with joy for us as we had families and friends visiting us around, along with pooja and other celebrations, kids’ demands and fun; with chit chat over tummy full of food.! Tell us about what’s your stories of Navaratri?…

Ref: Saraswati Namastubhyam

 

 

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