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Navarathri
The dolls are usually handed down by the mother to her daughter and some dolls will be in the family for years. The dolls will be dusted lovingly and proudly occupy their positions in the "golu padi" or the steps. The steps are usually make-shift benches and are made of old boxes, trunk cases, etc. draped with white veshti. Shopping is a big part of all the festivals and this is true in the case of Navarathri too. One has to buy new dolls, provisions to make sundal and other delicacies as well as other essentials like blouse bits, thamboolam, etc. It is customary in most families to buy at least one set of golu dolls every year to add to their dolls collection. During Navarathri, the women of the house invite their friends, relatives and neighbours to come to their house and take a look at their golu. It is only the womenfolk who are invited, as Navarathri is very much a woman's festival. Every day, special dishes are made - sundal is a Navarathri essential. Nine different types of sundal are made each day. Nine different rice dishes are also made. These dishes are served to the guests and when they take leave, they are given some sundal to take back home too. They are also given the traditional thamboolam, along with a blouse piece, a small mirror, a comb and a kumkum container. The ninth day of Navarathri is celebrated as Ayudha Pooja. On this day, people pay obeisance to the implements (ayudham) they make use of during the course of their life - be it at home or at work. Tools such as scissors, knives as well as every tool of the trade, be it factory machinery or computers, are considered sacred and prayers are offered. This day is also the day of Saraswati Pooja. Saraswati is the goddess of learning and on this day, an idol or a picture of the goddess is kept along with the books as well as any musical instrument in the house, like a veena or a violin. Prayers are offered to the goddess and children are generally urged to pray extra hard, so that they will score well in the exams! The tenth day is Vijaya Dasami. This day marks the winding up of the long festival. On this day, after the evening pooja, the dolls are all packed neatly in their boxes and taken back to the loft, where they will lie till next Navarathri.... The nine nights of celebration which precede the festival of Vijayadashmi, is known as Naavratri.
The gods pleaded with Shiva for help. Shiva appealed to Parvati, who used her shakti and a goddess appeared from the dark. Durga is the tamasic (dark) incarnation of Parvati. The gods bowed before Durga and offered her their powerful weapons. While the gods watched, Durga battled Maheshasura. On Vijayadashmi day, Durga won back the heavens and earth from Maheshasura when she thrust her trident into his chest and killed him.
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Copyright
2008, Chennai Interactive
Business Services (P) Ltd. |
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It is that time of the
year again - when the women of the house bring down the heavy "trunk
potti" bearing all the golu dolls. It is time to clean the house and
the dolls and at the same time, go shopping for new dolls. Yes! Navarathri
is here again!
There was a time when the
world was in the demonic grip of Mahishasura (a demon who had taken the
form of a buffalo). The boon of invincibility, made him all powerful, for
no man could ever defeat him in battle. Maheshasura conquered the heavens,
and possessed the palace of the gods.
