Happy Navarathri! Devi Navarathri is the Hindu Holiday celebrating the Feminine Divine. A Festival that commemorates good over evil - Goddess Durga (Shakti or Power) vanquished a demon of arrogance/ignorance Mahishasura. The first three nights are in the honor of Durga (Shakti or power) next three in the honor of Lakshmi (prosperity, both material and spiritual) and the last three in the honor of Saraswati (learning/ knowledge/fine arts).
After years of penance Lord Brahma (creator) appeared before Mahishasura, pleased by his devotion offers to grant him a boon. Mahishasura asks for immortality. Brahma responds saying all who are born must perish, but he may choose the way to pass. In his arrogance (thinking that women are weak), prays for his end to be in the hands of a woman. With this boon he becomes arrogant, turns evil, and starts wreaking havoc in the world. The people could not take his wicked ways any longer and seek divine help.
The Male deities gather together and from the divine light that shines from their faces, emerges Goddess Durga the one who ends Mahishasura and his evil ways.
Hindus celebrate the festival across the globe in a variety of different ways depending on culture, communities and traditions. Hindu ways of worship differ vastly, which makes Hinduism unique is it’s diversity!
Here I share about the South Indian tradition followed in my family - Navratri Kolu.
Bommai Kolu/ Bomma Golu/ Bombe Habba/ Bommala Koluvu is a doll and figurine display festival celebrated during the festival of Navratri in Southern India, it is customary in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala.
Kolu originated mainly as a form of recreating the defeat of the demon king Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. It is akin to invoking the divine into the homes and celebrating the victory of good over evil through all the doll displays. The dolls and the tradition itself is passed down generations as a family legacy.
The Kolu is predominantly displayed with depictions from scriptures such as Mahabaratha, Ramayana, court life, royal procession, weddings, everyday scenes, miniature kitchen utensils, anything a child would have played with. Odd-numbered shelves (usually 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11), are set up using wooden planks, covered with fabric with the deities at the top and other dolls below. It’s a traditional practice to have wooden figurines of the bride and groom together, called 'Marapacchi Bommai' made of wood decorated with new clothes each year, symbolizing prosperity and fertility. Modern Golus are elaborate including lego lands, fairy lands, etc. and dolls from around the world.
Women in life take on multiple roles as a “Devi”, who in her later life takes the roles of Parvati as a wife and mother, Lakshmi as a housewife, Saraswati as the first guru of her children, Durga as the destroyer of all obstacles for her family, Annapurna as the food provider through her cooking, Kali as the punisher to bring the members of the family on the right track. This particular tradition is an opportunity for women to socialize by visiting each others homes and exchanging gifts and sweets.
Navarathri is a wonderful time to be with your friends & family and a chance to see beautiful/gorgeous decorations at temples and homes.
Happy Navarathri! May the joy, happiness, victory/triumph fill your hearts with love, compassion, and generosity like all the divine mothers! Jai Ma!
"Show, share, include folks of all faiths/ backgrounds in your holidays, celebrate together (it’s not that difficult to be kind and compassionate)."
A strong believer in being the change, building a world of inclusivity, peace, unity, love, and compassion, Sangeeta Kaushik, shares her passion for her own culture and the beauty is embracing other cultures through her work. Follow her on Instagram @ihsanishandesign.
Comentarios