Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Maa Shakti, Goddess Durga or Parvati as she is lovinly called by her beloved devotees. The word Navratri means 9 nights in Sanskrit. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Goddess Durga , are worshiped. It is believed that Maa Durga visits earth during these pious days. The 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.
The preparations begin much before the actual Navratras.
Cleaning the house- Cleanliness is next to Godliness as it is rightly said. The misssion begins atleast two weeks in advance with spring cleaning of the house. My mother in law's pet project. She plans everything to the T.
Mother in law and her group of friends follow the ritual of doing kirtans (prayer meets) during the 9 days. The ladies book the day when they want kirtan at their homes. They invite women from their neighbourhood to attend the puja, Decorate their 'Maa ka darbar'- place to worship Goddess, sing bhajans, distribute prashad and gifts to the ladies. Worship, celebrate and seek blessings of Maa Durga.
The first Navratri puja is at our home, where we expect around 50 women to attend. It is certainly one of the biggest events in my family. Just love the way my mother in law diligently prepares for it. Over the years it is more like a routine that we follow. In fact festivals are a way of keeping the hopes, hopes of tomorrow being better. In India we celebrate many festivals, they also keep women and the older people busy throughout the year. Busy in things that they love doing. Parents expect their sons and daughter would visit them in case they don't love together.
Preparations begin with the shopping list. The following items feature on the list:
Preparations begin with the shopping list. The following items feature on the list:
1. Chunni (decorated dupatta) for Devi Maa and other things that form part of her shringar (dressing and ornaments)
2. Mathe ki patti - The narrow ribbon with "Jai Mata Di" written on it that women wear aound their foreheads during the Pooja.
3. Items to make prashad - dryfruits such as almonds, cashew, dates, raisins, peanuts, ramdana (sweet found in dry prashad), makhane and dry coconut.
4. Cardamom, clove, aniseed, mishri (crystallised sugar)
5. Shringar to be given to all the ladies attending the puja - henna, sindoor, bindi, nailpolish, kajal and a gift can be a household utensil, a towel, tray, bowl or anything that one wants to give away.
6. Fruits for the Puja and also to be given in the prashad - generally 5 different types of fruits are kept in the puja such as apples, pears, bananas, orange or sweet lime, pomegranate etc.
7. Coconut to be given to all the ladies.
8. Milk seasoned with cardamom and almond to be offered to the ladies as a lot of them fast during this period and may not have tea or other snacks or beverages.
9. Curd - to make the panchamrut (5 nectars - milk, curd, honey, sugar and ghee), required to be offered to the deity and also all present.
10. Kalash - lota (water pictcher), mango leaves (7/9),Coconut.
11. Kalava/ Mouli - Roll of the thread generally tied on the wrist of all the devotees.
12. Haldi kumkum and akshat - sindoor, termeric and rice sued to do the tika of the deity and the ladies.
13. Diya to light in front of Goddess Durga
14. Diya for arti
15. Flowers and garlands for the puja.
The items are purchased in stages and kept ready for the puja. In fact perishables are bought just a day prior.
The First Navratra
The day begins with decorating the 'Mata ka darbar', where an idol or a large picture of Devi Maa is placed for worship and making arrangements to accommodate about 50 ladies. It is generally our living room, the sofas are adjusted or moved and we make place on the floor, covering it with Rugs,daris and carpets so that everyone can be seated comfortably.
In the temple, the kalash is made and placed. Jau or barley is sown, that grows during this time and used for puja on Dussehra, that falls on the 10th day.. The temple is decorated with garlands and flowers. Diya is lit, this is the 'akhand jyot' that will light for the 9 days.
We generally fast during this period. The kirtan starts at 3pm and goes on till 6, singing Devi bhajans and distributing prashad. Its also an occasion to meet and catch up with everyone. Festivals are after all an opportunity to celebrate the company of family and friends.
The Navratri colours for 2014 are:
Pratipada - September 25 2014 (Thursday) - Yellow
Dwitiya - September 26 2014 (Friday) - Green
Tritiya - September 27 2014 (Saturday)- Grey
Chaturthi - September 28 2014 (Sunday) -Orange
Panchami -September 29 2014 (Monday) -White
Sashti - September 30 2014(Tuesday) - Red
Saptami -October 1 2014 (Wednesday) - Blue
Ashtami - October 2 2014 (Thursday) - Pink
Navami -October 3 2014 (Friday) - Purple
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