Colours of Navratri

Nine Forms of Maa Durga

Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Maa Shakti, Maa Durga, Maa 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 Maa 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 festival is celebrated all over the country in many different ways.The nine forms of Maa Durga are:

First day of Navratri we pray to Shailputri
Second Navratri is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini
Third Navratra is devoted to Maa Chandraghanta
Fourth one is to pray to Maa Kooshmanda
Fifth Navratra is for Skandmata 
Sixth Navratra one prays to Maa Katyayini
Seventh Day of the Navratri is dedicated to Maa Kalratri (Maa Kali)

Eighth day of the holy period is devoted to Maa Mahagauri

The Ninth day is for the 9th form of Maa Shakti, Sidhidatri 

In the Northern part of India, these days are celebrated by way of fasting for 9 days and worshiping the different forms of Maa Gurga. In Gujarat and Maharashtra it is celebrated by having the Garba and dandiya for the 9 nights. In Eastern part of India especially among the Bengali community, It is celebrated as the Durga Puja. The festivities here are for 5 days and they are community celebrations. The idols are huge and exquisitely crafted. They adorn the huge pandals (Shamiana) where they are worshiped and then the idol is immersed in  water on the 5^th day.

I look forward to the celebration of the Navratri each year like a lot of other women. Mumbai women have over the years developed their own style of celebrating this festival. They follow the colours for these nine days. Each day there is a different cololur, the list is published in the Maharashtra Times. Among the career women, who rush to their work places by the local trains hardly dress up in their traditional finery. 

 Just the other day, I opened my official email box to find an email titled ‘Colours of Navratri’ sent by a colleague to all the ladies working in the office. Following this list we’ll be wearing our traditional sarees or salwar kammezs in those colurs. Every office here in Mumbai has a similar story, all women whether married or not will be trying their best to adorn the colour of the day. Some may even buy outfits that they don’t have in their wardrobes. Come Navratri, the moment we step out of our homes we’ll find the women wearing the colour of the day. On reaching the local train station it’s certainly a beautiful sight to see the women adorning the colours of the day and dressing up in their best sarees. Some of them don’t even wear footwear for the entire period of the Navratri. Evenings are generally the time to visit the local dandiya ground. Where, the dandiya begins in the evening around 7.30 pm with Arti of the Devi and then playing the favourite music, an old classic or just the flavor of the season.

Children look forward to the daniya nights celebrated in their housing socities. They are among the first dancers on the floor. Mumbai is different during the Navratri, dandiya fever is in its peak. In fact one gets to hear the music much before the first Navratra, as the bands comprising of college students and working people, practise each evening preparing for the festival. For them it is also a way of enjoying the festivities as well as making some good bucks!At the Dandiya venues the people generally wear the Gujarati style chaniya cholies and men wearing the trational outfits. It’s fun to see how couples come colour co-ordinated. The jewelery is generally the oxidized one. The young girls pick their jewelry as well as the outfits for the 9 days from Gujarat, or in Mumbai, places like Bhuleshwar Market.

So Navratri is round the corner and I am looking forward to welcome the Devine Mother in my home. We begin the festival with keeping of the kalash and sowing the barley in an earthen pot (which will grow till the tenth day and this will be used for the Dussehra puja at home). The Mandir (temple) at home will be decorated with the best of flowers; will light the akhand jyot (the oil lamp) which will be glowing for the next 10 days. Will have a kirtan at home in the afternoon, where we invite all the ladies and they sing the bhajans of Maa Durga and other deities. This will be followed by the Arati and distribution of prashad to all the ladies.  Most of the women fast during this period so prashad generally consists of fruits, dry fruits and milk. The women also get the ‘Suhagi’ (bindi, sindoor, mehendi, nail polish, glass bangles tied together with a red ribbon) and anything else the lady of the house wants to give to the women attending the puja.

A line from a bhajan comes to my mind,

‘Layi Layi main do phool gulab ke, Meri Maiyya ke nau din bahar ke’

The  Navratri colours for 2012 are:

 Pratipada - October 16, 2011 (Tuesday) - Red 

Dwitiya - October 17, 2012 (Wednesday) - Sky Blue 

Tritiya / Chaturthi - October  18, 2012 (Thursday) -Yellow

Panchami - October 19 (Friday) - Green

Sashti - October 20 (Saturday) - Grey

Saptami - October 21 (Sunday) - Orange 

Ashtami - October 22 (Monday) - White

Navami - October 23 (Tuesday) - Pink

Vijayadasami - October 24 (Wednesday) - Blue

Happy Navratri to all !

These pictures are taken from various websites, they'll be promptly removed in case the owner has any issues with the use of the pictures.

Updated in 2013 : http://laxmitodiwan.blogspot.in/2013/09/colours-of-navratri-2013.html

The hair cut agony

Hair today gone tomorrow! It isn’t that easy. Hair tales of my kids have been quite a nightmare for me. The elder one Arnnav was born with a nice mane, I simply loved his curly hair. The moment he became an year old his hair started touching his collar, he still looked cool, Sometimes I would tie his hair up into tiny pony tails and loved the way my baby looked…..Absolutely cute and adorable. Then was the time to give him a good haircut, in our culture the first haircut is a ‘mundan’ where the baby’s head is completely shaved off. The ceremony is a feast for everyone whereas the little child keeps crying buckets full. It’s such a heart breaking moment for the mother. Holding my son I cried too when I saw all his curly hair falling on to the cloth wrapped around him. Somehow both of us managed to get through the ceremony. Everyone congratulated me and my baby on reaching the new milestone.

The next few months saw the hair growing. Just after 3 months it was time to give Arnnav another haircut. Since hubby sails and is out at work for nearly 3-4 months I had to take him to the barber. I contemplated with the idea of visiting the barber shop on a Sunday morning. I dropped the idea, decided on the beauty parlour instead where I’d be comfortable and guessed that it wouldn’t be an issue for Arnnav as well. I took him to the neighbourhood parlour, the lady was very friendly with a warm smile. Arnnav was at ease but the moment, I made him sit on the chair for the haircut, he started screaming. We both couldn’t handle him and I had to take him back without a haircut. Another week passed by I took him to my parents home which is quite close to my residence. Dad and I took Arnnav to the barber shop this time. No matter what he wouldn’t let anyone touch his hair. The barber managed a few trims but the boy cried so much that he started to puke. Dad said nothing doing he’d try to level his hair at home. We got Arnnav home, gave him his favourite ice cream and a pastry. He had it and when he fell asleep I made him lie on my lap and dad trimmed his hair. His haircut was really uneven and funny but it was okay as he didn’t understand haircuts much, at one and a half years this was acceptable.

Then Dad bought a Philips electric shaver that had attachments for trimming hair. We gave him haircuts with this machine while he slept on my lap and dad playing the not so perfect barber. This went on for more than a year and dad becoming better with every haircut he did.  We tried taking him to different  barber shops  every time he needed a haircut  but somehow never managed any success. I knew almost all barber shop’s / salon in my area. It gave me a peak into the domain where women hardly ventured. Found it rather funny seeing men sitting with face masks on but yeah everyone has a right to feel and look good.

It gave me a true sense of liberation when Arnnav had a haircut at the local barber shop without any drama. I gave a good tip to the barber and a treat to my boy. It settled after 2 years of nightmare.

Just when Arnnav learnt to handle the barber my younger one Abhinav embarked on the same path as his elder brother. Infact It was longer with him as he had his mundan when he was just 3 months old. This Sunday Abhinav had a haircut at the barber shop and I am on a celebratory mood.
It’s such a great feeling to have bid farewell to the haircut agony!

Melbourne for Me!

The contest on Indiblogger made me read about Melbourne, not that I know nothing about it. Having read in the history books and seeing the cricket matches played in Melbourne I do know a bit about the city.  Not just a bit… may be a little bit more!

Aww …it also takes me back to the days when I had a huge crush on the suave, shy and very sexy Steve Waugh. How I got weak on my knees seeing him at the hotel in Mumbai when the Australian team was touring India in 1997- 98. He smiled at me and that has remained frozen in time. But being a staff on duty at the prestigious Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai, I couldn’t even take his autograph.  May be this is my chance to meet him and this time take not just his autograph but a photograph too.

The places that I would like to see in Melbourne would be a mix of everything historic, modern, adventure or just plain cricket!

I have heard that it’s the cultural capital of Australia. I looked up on the internet and found some useful information on the city. Of course these are the places that I’ll be visiting as well.
By the way, just for the information of my readers I haven’t travelled out of India as yet. I do have a valid passport though which is recently renewed after it expired without being stamped even once.  Did we hear somewhere?

If wishes were horses

Beggars would ride:

If turnips were watches

I would wear one by my side

Melbourne is a city that knows how to live. One can choose from high-end cuisine to low brow rock gigs, plays, festivals and blockbuster sporting events, all taking place across a city full of parks, gardens and historic architecture. 

Here’s my finding of the city of Melbourne from

http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Melbourne.aspx

Laneways and byways

Explore historic arcades and laneways lined with fine dining restaurants, chic cafes, hidden bars and fashion boutiques or head to one of the many lush gardens throughout the city.

Cheer on your heroes

Discover Melbourne's obsession with football, cricket, soccer and just about anything else that involves working up a sweat. Head to the sports precinct to visit the hallowed ground of the MCG.

Festival fever

In Melbourne everything has its own festival. From food, film, art and music festivals to celebrations of writing, anime, design and projections – get involved and experience the city through the arts.

Art and culture

Melbourne is home to world-class arts and cultural heritage institutions, cutting-edge design and dynamic festivals and community events.

Food and wine

Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures, a fact reflected in its restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. Feast on a dizzying spread of the world's great cuisines.

Entertainment

In Melbourne, you'll find an ever-increasing number of trendy clubs and bars, live music venues, comedy, jazz, cinema, caberet and old style pubs.

Shopping

Whether you're after high fashion, independent local designers, jewellery, furniture or fine art, find out where to start your spree in Melbourne.

Spa & wellbeing

Melbourne offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to indulge in soothing relaxation therapies.

Nature and wildlife

Surround yourself with age-old trees, manicured lawns and abundant wildlife in a pocket of calm and tranquillity in the middle of Melbourne.

Outdoor activities

Make the most of the rivers, parks and coastline Melbourne has to offer with a range of outdoor activities to suit your interests and lifestyle.

History and heritage

Explore Melbourne's rich and diverse cultural heritage from the Aboriginal people to early European settlers in historic buildings and monuments.

Family activities

There's plenty of things to do for the whole family in Melbourne from interactive museums and kids' festivals to zoos and wildlife parks.

Aboriginal Victoria

Explore Aboriginal culture and heritage in Melbourne and surrounds. Take a heritage walk and visit cultural centres, galleries and museums.

There’s certainly loads to bring back from Melbourne not just a stamp on my passport!
 That's Melbourne me.... and it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW!!

Do check out the link: www.visitmelbourne.com/in.

Wishy washy.........

Soaked in the bright new world in the 70s

Blessed with love from one and sundry

Grew up soaking in the learning and fun at school

College was as cool…

Soaked in the career and the challenges that came by

Building it up with every passing day…..

Soaked in the new love, hopes, dreams and beauty

Together we got soaked for Life!

Two little bubbles added to the soaking

Life seems to be just Rocking!

But when it comes to clothes it should be soak no more… what a delight would that be!

Being a career woman and a mother, time is something that I am hard pressed always!  Mornings being the prime where I am ‘Jhansi ki Rani’ living upto my namesake!  Everything is clock work. Get out of bed and head to the kitchen.  Get the morning cuppa ready and fix breakfast and kid’s school Tiffin.  Get the kids out of bed, and get them to brush their pearly whites. While they sit and munch on the breakfast I take a quick round of the bathroom and soak the clothes that won’t go in the washing machine. Bathe the kids, get them ready and send them off to school.

That’s when I would head to the bathroom and attend to the clothes that have barely got enough time to soak.  I love washing my dresses; I don’t even trust the washing machine to do the job.  Then it’s time for me to head for office by 8.30 AM. Finally I take a deep breath after parking myself on my chair at work. That’s how the routine is each day. This may be familiar story to a whole lot of you.

Don’t you think life would be a bit different if we got a bit of bonus time in the morning? Say 30 minutes… It would certainly feel like winning Gold at the Olympics and basking in the glory of it forever. If there was a detergent that did the trick of not remaining in the bucket for 30 minutes, I would be 30 minutes faster!  What say?

I teach in a hotel management institute, where the second year syllabus has laundry operations. As a part of the introduction to the topic, I ask the students how they wash their clothes. They tell me that they soak the clothes in a bucket of water, adding some detergent to it and allowing it to rest for while. So many of them, specially the hostelers say that they end up keeping the clothes in the bucket for almost 5-6 hours at times even overnight. As at times they just don't have the patience to wait or at times they just forget that they had left the clothes to soak. I ask them what result they get, they tell me that there’s a typical stink to the clothes which is difficult to get rid of even after washing them all over again. After hearing their narrations in the class, I tell them the formulation of the detergents and the right technique for washing clothes. Once they get the logic behind using the detergent for washing clothes, the next part of the study on commercial laundering is covered with them.

If a detergent didn’t require soaking time, life would be so much easier for the homemakers, busy career women, the hostel residents and not to forget…. our friendly neighbourhood dhobi!

Umm Daag achhe hain............

So soak in the fun not just in a little bucket of water!

This post is written  for Indiblogger and Surf Excel Matic's -" #SoakNoMore" Contest

These pictures have been take from various websites, if anyone has an objection to their use here, they'll be promptly removed.