Navaratri 2008.

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Navaratri 2008

 

The story associated with Navaratri and Durga Puja is found in the

Markandeya Purana. The chapters 81 to 93 in the Markandeya Purana talks

about the slaying of demon Mahishasura or Mahisha by Durga and it is

referred as Devimahatmya and is recited during the Navaratri and Durga

Puja. It symbolized the victory of good over evil.

 

Devi-Mahatmya extols the greatness of Durga in 700 hymns grouped into

537 sections and therefore it is also known as Durga Sapta Sati. It

details the exploits of the goddess in her three major forms: Kali,

Lakshmi and Saraswati, representing the three fold energy: strength,

wealth and wisdom. The most famous episode is Durga killing Mahishasura.

 

Birth of Mahishasura

 

Legend has it that two sons of Danu called Rambha and Karambha performed

penances to gain more powers. Rambha performed the austerities by

standing amidst five ritual fires called Panchagni and Karambha by

standing in neck-deep in water.

 

Indra, the lord of the gods, felt threatened by such intense austerities

and took the form of a crocodile and killed Karambha. Rambha, who came

to know about his brother's death, increased the intensity of his

austerities and won several boons from gods like great brilliance,

beauty, invincibility in war. Most important one was the boon that he

will not be killed by humans or Gods or Asuras (demons).

 

After receiving the boon, he was roaming in the garden of Yaksha and

there he fell in love with a female-buffalo. To express his love Rambha

took the form of a male-buffalo and copulated with the she-buffalo. But

soon a real male buffalo discovered Rambha in the garden and killed him.

 

Rambha's inflated ego made him not to ask the boon of invincibility

from animals. And an animal happened to be the reason for his death.

 

The female-buffalo, who was pregnant decided to kill herself in the

funeral pyre of Rambha. She jumped into the pyre and from the pyre

sprang up a mighty asura (demon) with the head of a buffalo and human

body. This was Mahishasura.

 

Mahishasura Defeats Gods

 

Mahishasura defeated the gods and the demons. He attacked the heaven and

captured it and made `devas' his slaves. He proclaimed that he

is now Indra – the lord of the gods. The gods led by Brahma

approached Vishnu and Shiva and appraised them of the situation.

 

Birth of Goddess Durga

 

The actions of Mahishasura caused intense anger in the Trimurtis. The

anger emerging out of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined to the take the

shape of a terrible form and this was Durga.

 

It is said that the flames of fire that gushed out of the eyes of the

Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – formed a mountain,

brilliant like a million suns. Out of this mountain, Durga took shape as

the goddess more powerful than all the gods.

 

`samasta dEvanam tejO raasi samudbhavam'

 

Durga is the brilliance of all the gods.

 

Captivated by the awe-inspiring Durga, the gods bestowed on her their

own characteristic weapons. Shiva – the trident, Vishnu – the

discus, Varuna – the conch, Agni – the spear, Yama – the

cudgel, Vayu – the bow, Surya – the arrows, Indra – the

vajra, Kubera – the mace, Brahma – the water pot, Kala – the

sword and Vishwakarma – the axe. Himavantha gifted a mountain lion

as her vehicle.

 

Goddess Durga kills Mahishasura

 

When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he fell in love with her and

sought to marry her. The goddess promised to marry him, if he defeated

her in the battle. A terrible combat ensued and continued for nine days.

Finally, Durga assumed the terrifying form of Chandika and pinned

Mahishasura down with her foot and pierced his neck with her spear and

she cut his head off with her sword.

 

The legend about the killing of Mahisha is found in many Puranas and

therefore there are slight variations in the story. The story is also

found in Vamana Purana, Varaha Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Devi

Bhagavatam and Kalika Purana.

 

Navaratri Vrat or Navaratri Vratam is an important fast observed by

Hindus during Ashviyuja (September – October). It is believed that

those devotees who perform Navaratri fasting will find happiness on

earth and will receive `moksha.' Legend has it that, how to

observe the Navaratri Vrata was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of

her ardent devotee. The Vratam is observed by both men and women and

Navaratri mantra is repeated during the period.

 

Navaratri Fast

 

The Navaratri fast is observed from the first day to the ninth day of

Ashviyuja month. People take bath in the morning and evening during this

period and some even drink water only after the ritual bath in the

morning.

 

Most devotees take only a single meal during the day. Non-vegetarian

food is totally avoided. Some people confine to milk and fruits during

the nine days.

 

Some devotees only observe fast during three days i.e., first fast

during any one of the first three days and second fast during any one of

the next three and last in any one of final three days.

 

How to perform the rituals?

 

A Kalasha is prepared at home and the water is changed daily for nine

days. The kalasha is placed on grains on raised platform or in the Puja

room. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days, Goddess

Lakshmi for the next three days, and Goddess Saraswathi during the last

three days. (Some people make clay figures of the Goddesses during the

period).

 

Each day fresh flowers and fruits are offered to the Goddess. Arati is

performed and bhajans are recited.

 

The Mantras and Bhajans/Songs to be recited

 

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) and Sri Lalita Sahasranama are recited

during the period. Gayatri puja is also done in Navaratri Deeksha. We

have uploaded Gayatri Puja Vidhanam to facilitate your Dasara Deeksha.

 

You may please download it from www.telugubhakti.com.

 

Some devotees conduct special homas and pujas during the period.

 

On the ninth day, all books, pen and whatever implements that a person

uses for his/her livelihood is worshipped and is not touched on the day.

 

On the tenth day, that is the Vijayadashami day in South India

(especially in Kerala) young children are initiated into the world of

learning.

 

There are no hard and fast rules for any fasting in Hindu religion.

There is always scope for flexibility. Some people just abstain from

non-vegetarian food during the period. Some people just visit temples

all the nine days. Some people read Bhagavad-Gita or other holy books

during the period.

 

Bomma Koluvu or Bommala Koluvu is the artistic display of dolls by women

during Navaratri and Dusshera in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and

Karnataka and among certain communities in Kerala. In this year,

Navaratri begins on 30th. The dolls, called Kollu or Golu, represent the

durbar or assembly of Goddess Durga. This assembly is held just before

Mother Goddess ventures on her mission to slay Mahishasura, the

buffalo-headed demon. Therefore when depicted along with the

`koluvu,' Goddess Durga is also referred as Mahishasura-mardini.

 

Earlier, special artisans were invited to homes to create koluvu dolls.

But nowadays most people rely on readymade koluvu dolls and " special

bomma koluvu " sets that hit the market during the period. The koluvu

arrangement is a forte of women and young girls. Creative women add new

dolls to their collection each year. Some women collect dolls throughout

the year keeping in mind the Navaratri Koluvu. It must be noted here

that some of the dolls used in Navaratri koluvu are very old as they

have been handed down to generations.

 

But sadly the Bomma Koluvu ritual is no longer held as elaborately as

they used to be in houses. Nowadays, people rarely find time to collect

or make dolls and therefore the Bomma Koluvu is slowly becoming a

community affair. The huge collection of dolls from various households

in an area makes the community Bomma Koluvu a grand affair.

 

How the Koluvu Dolls are traditionally arranged?

 

The Navaratri or Dasara koluvu is displayed on stairs created from wood.

The number of steps depends on the availability of the dolls. The

maximum number is nine – representing the nine days of Navaratri.

Usually, the steps are erected up to the scope and availability in the

individual houses.

 

There are no hard and fast rules for arranging the dolls. Nowadays, the

arrangement depends on the availability of dolls. In most places, the

entire nine steps will be filled with statues of various gods and

goddesses in Hindu pantheon. For some, the Navaratri Koluvu is a simple

arrangement of various deities in three steps.

 

The topmost three steps are dedicated to various gods and goddesses. In

some areas, people place a `Purna Kumbham' on the topmost step.

 

The next three steps – 4, 5 and 6 – are dedicated to Gurus,

saints, religious personalities and other highly respected figures in

the country and world.

 

The seventh step is dedicated to various social activities and

festivals. People depict marriages and important festivals in this step.

 

Business, crafts and other economic activities are depicted in the

eighth step. Creative women depict a buzzing market place and other

activities.

 

The ninth step is dedicated to dolls made of wood. Dolls of men, women,

children, animals and birds are placed in this step.

 

During Bomma Koluvu, the entire neighborhood, friends and relatives

gather in a house and sing songs dedicated to Goddess Durga. Special

sweets are prepared during the period.

 

On the Vijayadashami day (the tenth day), the dolls are taken out.

 

(a collection)