Navratri is celebrated for nine nights and ten days during which the nine forms of Shakti or Devi are worshipped. The tenth day, which is considered the most auspicious, is celebrated as Vijayadasami or Dussehra.
From worshipping golu dolls and sharing Navratri goodies to feeding nine young girls and putting a smile on their faces, each of the nine days of the colourful festival has something new to offer. Find out how Navratri is celebrated in different parts of Southern India.
In the south, especially in Tamil Nadu, the Navratri Golu is an important part of the celebrations.
The pride and joy that is felt by displaying your colourful dolls, some of which have been in the family for generations, is simply incomparable.
“I have a beautiful 80-year-old Subramanya Swamy doll in my collection,” says a proud Revathi from Gandhi Nagar, Adayar, who is already in the midst of a very tight schedule.
During Kanya Pooja, nine young girls are served food and goodies
During Ayudha Pooja, automobiles are machines are worshipped
Throughout Southern India, the ninth day of the Navratri festival is celebrated as Saraswati puja or Ayudha (weapon/machine) puja.
On this day, all tools and machines, including vehicles and all implements that help us earn our livelihood are worshipped.
Rajpal, proprietor of a popular hardware shop in Perambur, who celebrates this festival every year says, “While most festivals are celebrated at home, Ayudha Puja is celebrated at the place of work. We dust, clean, wash, and sometimes even paint all the tools used in the shop, and apply sandalwood paste and vermilion on them. Even our delivery vans and lorries are washed and decorated, and poojas are performed for them. We then distribute sweets to all our workers to thank them for their service and sometimes also burst a few crackers.”
The ritual of ‘Vidyarambham’ or introducing the children to the world of knowledge is another common practice followed on Vijayadasami day.
A Anuradha of Velachery who is a trained Montessori teacher claims that most parents prefer to enroll their children in school during this occasion.
“We usually have a lot of registrations on this day. Children are mostly accompanied by their grandparents and are taught to write their first alphabet by holding their fingers and writing the letters in a plate filled with rice. It is believed that starting anything new, be it education or a business venture on Vijayadasami day ensures success and prosperity. At home, on Saraswathi Puja day, we keep the books, pens, pencils, etc in the prayer room and worship them.”
Parvathy Panicker from Shoranur, Kerala also identifies with this custom of Vidyarambham.
source:::::rediff.com
natarajan
Take off with Natarajan 