Colourful Festivals of Bharath – Navaathri, Durga Puja and Dusserha
Colourful Festivals of Bharath – Navaathri, Durga Puja and
Dusserha
The Four Navratris – Celebrated Four times a year
Navatri is celebrated four
times a year by Hindus and these Navratris are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha
Navaratri, Sharad Navaratri and Paush/Magha Navaratri.
Most popular
navaratris which are celebrated by all Hindus are Vasanta Navaratri and Sharad
Navatri. Other two Navaratris – viz. Ashadha and Paush Navaratris are
exclusively for celebration by Shaktas or Devi Upasakas.
It's usually a
nine night festival that ends with Dussehra, the victory of good over evil, on
the tenth day.
Let us know
briefly about these 4 Navaratris.
1 . Vasanta Navaratri: This falls in the
month of Chaitra (March – April) during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of
moon). It is celebrated at the beginning of the New Year as per the Hindu
mythological lunar calendar (Vikrami Samvat).
2 . Ashad Navaratri: It is also referred
to as Gupta Navaratri, Gayatri Navaratri and Shakambhari Navaratri. It comes in
the month of Ashadha (June – July). It falls during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha
(waxing phase of moon) and is reserved for observance only for Shaktas.
3 . Sharad Navaratri: This is the most
famous Navaratri being celebrated by all. It falls in the ‘pratipada (first
day) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. The time of its
celebration is the beginning of winter – September – October.
4 . Pausha Navaratri: It is also called
Shakambari Navaratri. Not like other three Navaratris which are for nine days,
this Navaratri is only for eight days. This comes in the month of December –
January during the Pausha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon). While other
Navaratri starts on Shukla Pratipada, this one begins on Ashtami and ends on
Purnima in Paush month. This Navaratrhi is exclusively for Shaktas like Ashad
Navaratri.
A brief note
on Shaktas seems to be warranted.
Shakta is a Sanskrit
word meaning ‘doctrine of power’. The tradition followed by Shaktas is to
worship the Supreme as the Divine Mother – Shakti or Devi in her many forms,
both gentle and fierce.
This
Shaktism has emerged in South Asia as the Hindu tradition and many followers of
Shaktism believe that the multiple goddesses with the Hindu pantheon are all
manifestations of Shakti, the Great Goddess. She has a variety of names and
forms, including Devi, Uma, Parvati, Ambika, Kali, Durga, Shitala and Lakshmi
with multiple regional variations. Followers of Shakti Hinduism are often characterized
by their attempts to attain, control and make manifest the powers of Shakti
within their own bodies.
In some forms of Shakti thought and
practice, it is held that Shakti dwells within the human body as a sleeping,
coiled serpent that must be awakened in order to attain enlightenment. In order
to arouse Shakti, some followers perform complex rituals which awaken the
"serpent," which then moves up through the body and unites with her
lover Shiva, at which point the Shakta practitioner enters an ecstatic-mystical
trance and the body is flooded with intense pleasure. These forms of Shaktism
are often associated with Tantric Hinduism. Shakti Hinduism is particularly
prevalent in places such as Kashmir, Bengal, and Assam.
Shaktism worship Shakti as the
Supreme Being exclusively as the dynamic aspect of Divinity, while Shiva is
considered solely transcendent and is not worshiped.
Shakta has two main forms – Srikula (worshipper
of Goddess Lakshmi in a brahminical tradition) prevalent in South India and
Kalikula (worshipper of Kali) prevalent in Northern and Eastern India.
Among the eminent mantras of Shakta is: Aum Hrim
Chandikayai Namah, "I bow to Her who tears apart all dualities."
During
Navaratri, Goddess Durga (the mother goddess, who is an aspect of Goddess
Parvati), is worshiped in each of her nine forms.
Each day has a
different ritual associated with it.
In addition,
predominantly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, there's a custom of
wearing different colors of dress on each day.
o
Day 1: Pratipada and Dwitiya (October 10, 2018). To mark the commencement of
Navaratri, a ritual called Ghatasthapana is performed to invoke
the energy of the goddess. On Pratipada, the goddess is worshiped as
Shailputri, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati meaning "Daughter of the
Mountain". She represents nature and purity. Astrologically, Dwitiya also
falls on this day in 2018. This is when the goddess is worshiped as Brahmacharini,
the unmarried form of Goddess Parvati. As she undertook great penance to get
Lord Shiva to marry her, she's associated with pious strictness. The
color to be worn on this day is royal blue.
o Day 2: Tritiya (October 11,
2018) is when
the goddess is worshiped as Chandraghanta, the married form the Goddess Parvati.
Her name is derived from the half moon on her forehead, which looks like a
bell. She's depicted riding on a tigress, and is associated with bravery
and courage to fight evil. The color to be worn on this day is yellow.
o Day 3: Chaturthi (October 12,
2018) is when
the goddess is worshiped as Kushmanda, who lived inside the sun and is believed
to have created the universe, giving light and energy to it. She
represents the form of Durga that is the source of all. The color to be
worn on this day is green.
o Day 4: Panchami (October 13, 2018) is when the goddess is worshiped
as Skandamata, the mother of Kartikeya (also known as Skanda), son of
Lord Shiva and brother of Lord Ganesha. The color to be worn on this day
is gray.
o Day 5: Shasthi (October 14, 2018) is when the goddess is worshiped as
Katyayani, who Goddess Parvarti morphed into in order to fight and destroy
the buffalo demon Mahishasura. She represents a warrior form of the goddess. The
color to be worn on this day is orange.
o Day 6: Shashti (October 15, 2018) Saraswati Puja is to be performed on
this day in 2018 due to astrological cycle. The color to be worn on this
day is white.
o Day 7: Saptami (October 16, 2018) is when the goddess is worshiped as Kalaratri,
the dark night. She appeared to destroy some particularly evil demons in the
battle against Mahishasura. She's the goddess's fiercest form and represents
protection from all troubles. The color to be worn on this day is red.
o Day 8: Ashtami (October 17, 2018) is when the goddess is worshiped as Mahagauri,
the younger version of Shailputri who had a very fair and perfect complexion.
She represents beauty and grace, and the cleansing of sins. The color to
be worn on this day is sky blue.
o Day 9: Navami (October 18, 2018) is when the goddess is worshiped as
Siddhidatri, who embodies all eight siddhis (supernatural
powers). She is believed to have granted them to Lord Shiva when he worshiped
her, and she also bestows them upon her devotees. The color to be worn on
this day is pink.
Note that in
south India, Goddess Durga is worshiped during the first three days of the
Navaratri festival, followed by Goddess Lakshmi during the next three days, and
finally Goddess Saraswati on the last three days.
In south India (Tamil
Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh), Navaratri is known as Golu and is
celebrated by the display of dolls.
The dolls are
symbolic of feminine power. They're placed on uneven numbered steps (usually
three, five, seven, nine or 11) that are set up with wooden planks and
decorated.
During the
festival, women visit each other's homes to view the displays and exchange
sweets.
In Telangana,
the Goddess is worshiped in the form of Bathukamma, a floral arrangement
stacked to resemble a temple tower.
Women sing old folk devotional songs.
This flower festival is devoted to
Goddess Maha Gauri, an incarnation of Goddess Durga that's considered to be the
life-giver and Goddess of womanhood.
In Gujarat, a
clay pot (garba or womb) is brought home and decorated on the first day of
Navaratri. It's regarded as the source of life on earth and a small diya
(candle) is kept in it. Women dance around the pot.
Durga Puja Festival
Durga Puja is a
Hindu celebration of the Mother Goddess and the victory of the revered warrior
Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival honors the
powerful female force (shakti) in the Universe.
When Is Durga Puja?
The dates of
the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. Durga Puja is
celebrated during the last five days of Navaratri and Dussehra.
In 2018, Durga
Puja takes place from October 15 to October 18, followed by the grand immersion
of Durga idols on October 19.
Where Is It Celebrated?
Durga Puja is
celebrated in West Bengal, particularly in the city of Kolkata. It's the biggest
and most important occasion of the year there. Bengali communities in other
locations across India celebrate Durga Puja as well. Substantial Durga Puja
festivities take place in both Mumbai and Delhi.
In Delhi, head
to Chittaranjan Park (Delhi's mini Kolkata), Minto Road, and also the city's oldest traditional Durga Puja on Alipur Road at Kashmere Gate. At
Chittaranjan Park, the must-see pandals are Kali Bari (Kali Mandir), B Block,
and the one near Market 2.
In Mumbai, the Bengal
Club holds a grand traditional Durga Puja at Shivaji Park in Dadar, which has
been taking place there since the mid-1950s. A glamorous and hip Durga Puja
happens at Lokhandwala Garden in Andheri West. Many celebrity guests attend.
For an all-out Bollywood extravaganza, don't miss the North Bombay Durga Puja. In addition, the Ramakrishna Mission in Khar
holds an interesting Kumari Puja, where a young girl is dressed up and
worshiped as Goddess Durga, on Asthami.
How Is It Celebrated?
Durga Puja is
celebrated in a similar manner to the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The start of
the festival sees huge, elaborately crafted statues of Goddess Durga installed
in homes and beautifully decorated podiums all over the city. At the end of the
festival, the statues are paraded through the streets, accompanied by music and
dancing, and then immersed in the water.
What Rituals Are Performed During Durga Puja?
Around one week
before the festival starts, on the occasion of Mahalaya, the Goddess is invited
to come to the earth. The eyes are drawn on the idols of the Goddess on this
day, in an auspicious ritual called Chokkhu Daan. In 2018, this will
take place on October 8.
After the idols
of Goddess Durga have been installed, a ritual is performed to invoke her holy
presence into them on Saptami. This ritual is called Pran Pratisthan. It
involves a small banana plant called a Kola Bou (banana bride), which is bathed
in a nearby river, dressed in a sari, and used to transport the Goddess's
energy. In 2018, this will take place on October 16.
Prayers are
offered to the Goddess every day during the festival, and she is worshiped in
her various forms.
On Ashtami,
Goddess Durga is worshiped in the form of a virgin girl in a ritual called the
Kumari Puja. The word Kumari is derived from Sanskrit Kaumarya,
meaning "virgin." The girls are worshiped as manifestations of
the divine female energy, with the aim of evolving the purity and divinity of
women in society. The divinity of Goddess Durga is believed to descend into the
girl after the puja.
In 2018, the Kumari
Puja will take place on October 17.
Worship is
concluded on Navami with a maha aarti (great fire ceremony), which marks
the end of the important rituals and prayers. In 2018, this will take place on October
18.
On the last
day, Durga returns to her husband's abode and the statutes are taken for
immersion. Married women offer red vermillion powder to the Goddess and smear
themselves with it (this powder denotes the status of marriage, and hence
fertility and bearing of children).
Belur Math in
Kolkata holds an extensive program of rituals for Durga Puja, including a
Kumari Puja. The ritual of Kumari Puja was started by Swami Vivekananda at
Belur Math in 1901 to ensure that women were respected.
What to Expect During Durga Puja
The Durga Puja
festival is an extremely social and theatrical event. Drama, dance, and
cultural performances are widely held. Food is a huge part of the festival, and
street stalls blossom all over Kolkata. In the evenings, the streets of Kolkata
fill with people, who come to admire the statues of Goddess Durga, eat, and
celebrate.
Dussehra of Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu
The very
unusual 10-day Dussehra festival at 300 year-old Mutharamman temple, in Tamil
Nadu's Kulasekarapattinam village, requires pilgrims to dress up as gods and
goddesses (or animals) of their choosing.
The temple is
dedicated to ferocious Goddess Kali. Devotees channel her spirit and dance in a
volatile throughout the night, holding flaming clay pots in their hands.
The
festival culminates with a theatrical slaying, on the beach, of demon
Mahishasura by the Goddess. It's definitely on of the most astounding
spectacles in India!
Dussehra 2018
In India, most of the festivals give you
a message of the victory of good over evil in one way or the other, but the
most important festival that marks this victory is Dussehra.
It is celebrated exactly 20 days before
Diwali. According to the Hindu calendar, Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi is
celebrated across the country on the 10th day of the bright
fortnight of the month of Ashwin.
Dussehra is one of the major Hindu
festivals. It is celebrated because Shri Ram killed the demon king Ravana after
a 9 day battle with him and freed his wife, Goddess Sita, from Ravana’s
captivity.
On this very day, Goddess Durga, killed
the demon Mahishasur, and so, this day is also celebrated as VijayDashmi.
People pray and seek blessings from
Goddess Durga too, on this day. It is believed that God Shri Ram had also
prayed to the Goddess Durga for strength and before granting Him his wish, the
Goddess wanted to test his reverence towards her.
For that she removed one lotus out of the
108 lotuses He was praying with. When Shri Ram reached the end of His prayers
and realized that one lotus was missing, He started to cut off His own
eye(since His eyes represent lotus and another name for Him is _Kamalnayan) to
offer to the Goddess in order to complete His prayer.The Goddess was pleased
with His devotion and granted Him victory over Ravana.
It is believed that only after this
prayer to the Goddess ,was Shri Ram able to kill the demon king Ravana on the
10th day and so this victory is celebrated all over India in
the form of a festival.
It symbolizes the triumph of good (Ram
and Durga) over evil (Ravana and Mahishasur).
Different parts of the country celebrate
this festival in different ways. While Dussehra of kullu is very famous, Dussehra
of states like West Bengal and Tripura is very popular too.
Mysore Dasara Festival
Mysore Dasara
is Dussehra with a difference! The city's royal heritage ensures that the
festival is elaborately celebrated on a grand scale. In Mysore, Dussehra honors
the Goddess Chamundeswari (another name for Goddess Durga) of Chamundi Hill,
who killed the powerful demon Mahishasur.
When is Mysore Dasara?
In contrast to
other parts of India where Dussehra is only celebrated for one day, Mysore Dasara
takes place over the whole of the Navaratri festival.
In 2018, Mysore Dasara gets
underway on October 10 and concludes on October 19.
Where is it Celebrated?
In the regal
city of Mysore, in Karnataka. Events take place at various
location all over the city, including auditoriums, Mysore Palace, the
exhibition grounds opposite Mysore Palace, Maharaja’s College ground, and
Chamundi Hill.
A Festival of Royal
Origin
The festival
can be traced all the way back to 1610, when it was started by Wadiyar King,
Raja Wadiyar I. The king and his wife performed a special puja to worship Goddess Chamundeshwari in
Chamundi Temple, situated on top of Chamundi Hill in Mysore.
Later, in 1805,
Krishnaraja Wadiyar III started the tradition of holding a special durbar (royal assembly) at Mysore Palace.
This continues even today. However, it was during the rule of Nalwadi
Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV (from 1894-1940) that the celebrations became
grand. The highlight was a royal procession with the king riding in a golden
seat on a decorated elephant.
The festival
lost some of its pomp after India attained Independence in 1947, which resulted
in royal rulers losing their kingdoms and authority. Some of it has been
regained in the last few decades though.
How is the Festival
Celebrated?
Mysore Palace is
dazzlingly illuminated by almost 100,000 light bulbs, nightly from 7 p.m. until
10 p.m., during the festival.
In addition,
the palace's magnificent Golden Throne is taken out of storage and assembled in
the Durbar Hall for public viewing. This is the only time it can be seen
throughout the year.
The main event
takes place on the last day of the festival. A traditional procession (known as
Jumboo Savari) winds its way through the streets of Mysore, starting at 2.45
p.m. from Mysore Palace and ending in Bannimantap. It features an idol of the
Goddess Chamundeshwari, which is privately worshiped by the royal family
beforehand, carried atop a lavishly decorated elephant.
Colorful floats and
cultural troupes accompany it. In the evening, from 8 p.m., there's a
torch-light parade at the Bannimantap grounds on the outskirts of the city.
Highlights include fireworks, daredevil stunts on motorcycles, and a laser
show.
Other popular
attractions include Yuva Dasara (an event targeted at the youth), food festival,
cultural programs at Mysore Palace, sporting events (such as wrestling), a
shopping festival, a flower show, and helicopter and hot air balloon rides.
Making of Ravan Effigies
In Delhi, most Ravan effigies are made in an area called Titarpur,
located in Tagore Garden in west Delhi.
A famous makeshift market gets set up on
the footpath there, along Najafgarh Road.
It's worth a trip to see it during
Navaratri (the lead up to Dussehra). However, the work on the effigies starts
much earlier, in August.
For three months, artisans work night
and day to create the giant demons. It takes 10 to 12 days to complete three
effigies.
Ramaleela
Performers
In the lead-up to Dussehra, Ramlila
performances that reenact scenes from the much loved Hindu epic the Ramayana,
which tells the life story of Lord Rama, are held.
They culminate with much fanfare on the
last night, with the defeat and destruction of Ravan.
Here are 5 Popular Ramlila
Shows in Delhi.
Top
5 Ramlila Shows During Navratri in Delhi
The main feature of Navaratri celebrations
in Delhi is the Ramlila performances
that take place in the evenings all over the city.
These plays reenact scenes from the much loved Hindu epic The
Ramayana.
They tell the life story of Lord Rama, culminating with his defeat of
the demon Ravan on the tenth day, Dussehra.
Catch the action at these five popular Delhi Ramlila shows.
You'll find many of them located in the vicinity of the Red Fort.
1. Shri Ram Lila Committee
Mughal king Bahadur Shah Zafar started
this Ramlila around 180 years ago for his army and people, when he took over
the reign of Shahjahanabad. It's the oldest and most traditional one in Delhi.
Every day, before the show starts, there's
a parade of costumed performers through the lanes of Old Delhi (starting from
Esplanade Road in Chandni Chowk) to the Ramlila Grounds.
Unfortunately, enthusiasm for it has waned
over the years.
The Dussehra celebration has fireworks to
mark the occasion, rather than modern-day theatrics and special effects.
Where: Ramlila Maidan, opposite Zakir
Husain College, Asaf Ali Road (near New Delhi Railway Station).
When: The parade starts at 6 p.m. and show
at 8 p.m.
Known For: Parade of its performers.
2. Shri Dharmic Leela Committee
Shri Dharmic Leela Committee branched off from the
Shri Ram Lila Committee in 1923.
It's renowned for hosting eminent politicians and
foreign dignitaries, including the Indian Prime Minister and President.
The Ramlila has remained an all-time favorite and is
particularly popular because of its chaat bazaar (food
stalls), with street food from Chandni Chowk prepared by top chefs. Stand-up
comedy acts keep the crowd entertained as well.
The Ramlila performance is classical in spirit, with
traditional actors from Muradabad and Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. It's been
running in the original format for decades but the episodes are rotated to
maintain freshness.
·
Where: Madhavas Park, opposite Lajpat Rai
Market near the Red Fort.
·
When: The snack stalls are open until
after midnight, although the show starts at around 8 p.m. and finishes a couple
of hours later.
·
Known For: Traditional actors and street food.
3. Nav Shri Dharmik Leela Committee
·
Nav Shri Dharmik Leela is another of Delhi's premier Ramlila
performances.
·
The Committee, which broke away from the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee in
1958, makes the most of technology to appeal to a younger audience. Hi-tech
equipment, sound systems, LED screens and hydraulic lifts are all part of the
performances. The effigy of Ravan is one of the tallest in Delhi.
·
There's also a mela with carnival rides and a huge food
court with plenty of stalls. The actors are mostly traditional artists from
Muradabad, plus a few actors from Mumbai who were previously associated with
the organization.
·
Notably, this Ramlila includes episodes from The Ramayana that
are not usually seen elsewhere.
o
Where: 15 August Park, opposite Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir near the
Red Fort.
o
When: From 8 p.m.
o
Know For: Use of special effects and technology.
The Lav Kush Ram Lila Committee, established in 1979,
is renowned for involving celebrities and actors from Bollywood.
However, this year they will share the stage with
politicians, who will also play roles in the enactment of The
Ramayana.
Vijay Sampla, Minister of State for Social Justice and
Empowerment, will portray Nishad Raj. Bhojpuri actor-turned-politician and
Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari will play the role of Angad. Shobha Vijender,
Councilor and wife of BJP leader Vijender Gupta, will be seen as Ahilya.
John Abraham will be the chief guest on Dussehra. The
burning of Ravan takes place with special hi-tech effects and is particularly
dazzling. There's usually a cultural show afterward.
·
Where: Lal Qila Maidan (Red Fort Ground) at
the Red Fort.
·
When: The performance gets underway at 8
p.m. nightly.
·
Known For: Glitz and glamor, with celebrity
actors.
5. Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra
Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra is an Indian
cultural institution that runs a notable school for music, dance and performing
arts. It's been putting on a Ramlila dance-drama every year since 1957.
Different choreographers have been used to
ensure that its style, which has included both folk and Indian classical dance,
keeps evolving.
Special effects have been added, along
with an English translation. This year, the production will aim to convey Lord
Ram's inner meaning and message.
It will focus on the core values of devotion,
loyalty, and respect through his life story.
It will also touch on some
lesser-known episodes of The Ramayana, including Lord Ram's birth,
Ahilya's emancipation, and Ram and Sita's wedding.
The costumes are all new,
and in an effort to be eco-friendly, accessories such as belts are being made
out of jute mats.
o
Where: Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra theater lawns, 1 Copernicus Marg
(off India Gate).
o
When: 6.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
o
Dates: September 21-October 17, 2017. The show runs for around one month,
starting on Navaratri and ending on the first day of Diwali (Dhanteras).
o
Ticket Cost: 500 rupees, 300 rupees and 100 rupees.
o
Known For: Its sophisticated choreographed dance performance that attracts an
arty crowd.
Other
Festivities:
Uttarakhand Almora Dussehra Street Parade
In Almora, in the
Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, a highlight of Dussehra
is a popular street parade through the town.
A Multitude of Villains
The Dussehra parade in Almora doesn't
only feature effigies of demon Ravan. It has numerous other villains from the
epic The Ramayana.
A Regional Parade with Great
Fanfare
The effigies are made by various local
groups in the region, and are accompanied on the parade by traditional dance
troupes and much fanfare.
After
being paraded through the streets of Almora, the effigies of the demons are set
alight by the crowd.
Himalachal
Pradesh Kullu Dussehra Parade
In the Kullu Valley region of Himachal
Pradesh, there is no burning of Ravan effigies.
Instead, Goddess Hadimba is carried from
her temple in Manali down to Kullu, where she's taken to the palace and
blessed by the royal family.
She then goes to Dhalpur and is joined
by the idol of Lord Raghunath (Lord Rama, the presiding deity).
Hundreds of goddess deities from all
over the region are brought out and carried in procession to see her.
Kullu Dussehra Trumpets
Musicians play trumpets as part of the
Kullu Dussehra festival, to celebrate the triumph of Lord Rama over demon king
Ravan.
Kullu Dussehra Gods
It's believed that the chariots are
powered by the gods. All the deities remain at the Dhalpur Maidan fairgrounds
until the end of the festival.
Dussehra Parade in Chhattisgarh
In the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh,
Dussehra celebrations last for more than two months and are devoted to the
local goddess known as Ma Danteshwari.
During the ceremonies, the tribes gather
around the Maharaja of Jagdalpur, Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo.
On the last day of Dussehra celebrations
in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, there's a fascinating parade featuring
the Maharaja and all the tribes.
Here, Maria tribal dancers participate
in the parade on the last day of Dussehra celebrations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar
district.
Such cultural diversities are not at all
dividing factors in Hinduism, but, they are real cementing factors.
The main thread throughout these
festivities is the ancient epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata which will always
unite all Hindus as one Great Homogenous Family – however different they may be
in their habits and behaviours.
Bharath Mata is Great Mother of all Hindus
and Hindus can be proud of their long history of traditions and festivals with
all their varieties and gaieties.
THINK INDIA THINK.
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