Navaratri/Dussehra
The festival of Navarathri, meaning nine nights, is celebrated all over India. It occurs in the month of Ashvina (September/October). The tenth day is Dassara or Vijayadashami. Generally, the first three days are dedicated to Durga, the Goddess. She destroys evil and protects us. The second three are for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and the final three for Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge.
The ten days of Dussera in Mysore (officially Mysuru), Karnataka, are renowned for outstanding cultural shows, processions, and decorations at the Maharaja’s Palace. The entire South celebrates a custom at homes and temples to create exquisite displays of dolls arranged on steps. This display and the festival itself are known as Golu or Bomba Habba. Well-known themes from religious or historical epics are featured. Elders love to narrate stories from the Hindu epics to the younger generations and revisit precious lessons and morals from these stories.
The ninth day is also known as Ayudha Puja, when tools, armory, vehicles, and other devices of livelihood are honored. This day is also devoted to Sarasvati Pooja.
Celebration in the North
In the north, especially in New Delhi, the final day of Navarathri is Ram Lila – an explosive show commemorating the victory of Sri Rama, the hero of Ramayana, over Ravana. During these nine days, people engage in Pujas, Yajnas, meditations, singing, and dancing. Ramayana is acted out for everyone to see. This is the season to exchange gifts and sweets. I have fond memories of Navarathri from my younger days, as a group of my friends and I would meet in the center of our town and celebrate.
Celebration in the West
In Gujarat, Navarathri is vibrant with fun-filled Garba and Dandiya-Rass dances. Men, women, and children participate in pairs with small decorated bamboo sticks called dandiyas.
Items required for puja
Purchased the following items well before the Nine-day celebration.
Every day clean the stoop and draw Rangoli, if possible, tie a string of mango leaves by the front door on the first day. Take a bath, wear clean clothes and follow the steps of the puja:
- Purchase sets of dolls each year
- Plain water in Kalash (a pitcher)
- Fresh and washed mango leaves
- Sandalwood
- One coconut
- Kumkum
- Turmeric
- Betel leaves and betel nuts
- Flowers and Fruits
How to arrange the Golu
- Set up the steps and place the dolls accordingly.
- The first step is decorated with Kalash. Fill this with water. Place mango leaves and coconut on top. This represents Goddesses. Place Idols of deities on both sides of the Kalasha. Keep in this row a pair of wooden dolls, Raja and Rani – king and queen.
- Keep in the next few steps idols of saints and farmers etc., of the country. There are numerous variations of dolls available in the market.
- It is custom to add a new set of dolls every year.
- Draw rangoli in front of the Golu.
- Worship or honor this assembly of dolls twice a day for 9 days.
- Chant shlokas and perform aarti. Do Naivedya every day.
- On the 9th day, worship Saraswati by keeping books, musical instruments next to the golu arrangement.
- Celebrate on the 10th day, Vijayadasami. This is the most auspicious day. Put the dolls to sleep and pack them away for the following year.
- During the 9 days, invite friends and family, and give away gifts and prasadam.
Activity for the kids
- Get your gift bags together. Fill them with betel leaf and nuts, turmeric, Kumkum, flowers, fruits, bangles, and any items you would like to gift.
- Have the kids help you with the display.
- Next to the Golu, you may make a garden out of dirt and mustard seeds. The seeds germinate within 2 days and look like a garden.
- Take your family to a Navarathri Garba, celebrated in the Gujarati community.