Navaratri Dasara festival Significance , celebrations and special foods

Navaratri is one of the most important and popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is a celebration of the divine feminine power, represented by Goddess Durga and her nine forms. The word Navaratri means "nine nights" in Sanskrit, and during these nine nights, devotees worship the different aspects of the Goddess, seek her blessings, and enjoy various cultural and religious activities. Dasara or Dushera signifies in total 10 day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and the power and grace of Goddess Durga and her nine forms.

The Significance of Navaratri Dasara

Each day of Dasara is associated with a specific form of Goddess Durga, also known as Navadurga. These forms are worshipped on each day of the festival for different reasons and benefits. Here is a brief explanation of each day of Dasara and the corresponding form of Goddess Durga

• Day 1: Pratipada - Shailaputri. On the first day of Dasara, Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped. She is the daughter of the mountains, who is a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. She represents the power of nature and creation. She rides on a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her hands. She is worshipped for strength, courage, and devotion.
• Day 2: Dwitiya - Brahmacharini. On the second day of Dasara, Goddess Brahmacharini is worshipped. She is the one who observes celibacy and performs penance, who is also an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. She represents the power of knowledge and wisdom. She walks barefoot and carries a rosary and a water pot in her hands. She is worshipped for peace, prosperity, and happiness.
• Day 3: Tritiya - Chandraghanta. On the third day of Dasara, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. She is the one who has a crescent moon on her forehead, who represents beauty, grace, and courage. She is the married form of Goddess Parvati, who adorns herself with ornaments and weapons to protect her devotees. She rides on a tiger and carries a sword, a bow, an arrow, a trident, a bell, and a lotus in her hands. She is worshipped for protection, success, and glory.
• Day 4: Chaturthi - Kushmanda. On the fourth day of Dasara, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped. She is the one who created the universe with her smile, who is the source of all energy and light. She represents the power of joy and creativity. She resides in the sun and radiates warmth and brightness to all beings. She rides on a lion and carries a discus, a mace, a lotus, and a water pot in her hands. She is worshipped for health, wealth, and prosperity.
• Day 5: Panchami - Skandamata. On the fifth day of Dasara, Goddess Skandamata is worshipped. She is the mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, the commander-in-chief of the gods, who symbolizes motherly love and protection. She represents the power of nurture and care. She holds her son Skanda in her lap and blesses her devotees with her four arms. She rides on a lion and carries a lotus and a water pot in her hands. She is worshipped for fertility, harmony, and well-being.
• Day 6: Shashthi - Katyayani. On the sixth day of Dasara, Goddess Katyayani is worshipped. She is the one who was born as the daughter of sage Katyayan, who is a fierce warrior and a slayer of demons. She represents the power of courage and justice. She was invoked by the gods to destroy Mahishasura, the buffalo-demon who terrorized the three worlds. She rides on a lion and carries a sword, a shield, a lotus, and an abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) in her hands. She is worshipped for victory over evil, strength, and confidence.
• Day 7: Saptami - Kalaratri. On the seventh day of Dasara, Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped. She is the one who is dark as night, who is the destroyer of ignorance and evil. She represents the power of transformation and liberation. She is the most fierce and terrifying form of Goddess Durga, who can annihilate all enemies with her wrath. She rides on a donkey and carries a sword, a trident, a snake, and an abhaya mudra in her hands. She is worshipped for protection, courage, and enlightenment.
• Day 8: Ashtami - Mahagauri. On the eighth day of Dasara, Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped. She is the one who is fair as snow, who is the epitome of purity and wisdom. She represents the power of beauty and grace. She is the younger form of Goddess Parvati, who performed severe penance to obtain Lord Shiva as her husband. As a result of her austerity, her body became dark and dusty. Lord Shiva then washed her with the water of the Ganga and restored her original complexion. She rides on a bull and carries a trident and a damaru (drum) in her hands. She is worshipped for forgiveness, compassion, and prosperity.
• Day 9: Navami - Siddhidatri. On the ninth day of Dasara, Goddess Siddhidatri is worshipped. She is the one who grants all kinds of siddhis or supernatural powers, who is the supreme form of Goddess Durga. She represents the power of perfection and fulfillment. She is the consort of Lord Shiva, who attained all his siddhis by worshipping her. She sits on a lotus and carries a discus, a mace, a conch, and a lotus in her hands. She is worshipped for success, achievement, and happiness. Ayudha puja is also conducted on this day.
• Day 10: Dashami - Vijayadashami. On the tenth day of Dasara, Vijayadashami or Dussehra is celebrated. It is the day when Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura and restored peace and order in the universe. It is also the day when Lord Rama killed Ravana and rescued Sita from his captivity. It is the day that symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the triumph of truth over falsehood. It is the day to celebrate the glory and grace of the Goddess and to seek her blessings for a prosperous and auspicious future.

Sarawathi Puja

Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, learning, wisdom, and music is worshipped on this day . It starts from the sixth day of Navaratri, which is also known as Saraswati Avahan or the invocation of Goddess Saraswati. It ends on the ninth day of Navaratri, which is also known as Saraswati Visarjan or the immersion of Goddess Saraswati. During these four days, people worship Goddess Saraswati and offer her flowers, fruits, sweets, and other items. They also recite hymns and scriptures dedicated to her. On this day, people worship  They also worship their books, instruments, tools, and vehicles as a mark of respect and gratitude. They also initiate their children into formal education by making them write their first words on this auspicious day. In some customs, books are placed and worshipped as it is considered a form of knowledge.

Ayudha Pooja

According to some sources, Ayudha pooja has its origins in the Mahabharata, where the Pandavas hid their weapons in a Shami tree during their exile. On the day of Vijayadashami, they retrieved their weapons and worshipped them before going to war with the Kauravas. Another source says that Ayudha pooja is related to the worship of Lord Rama, who performed a puja for his bow and arrow before killing Ravana on Vijayadashami.

Ayudha pooja is celebrated on the ninth day of Navaratri, which is also known as Maha Navami or Saraswati Puja. On this day, people clean, paint, or polish various tools such as machines, books, vehicles, musical instruments, weapons, and other equipment that make them productive and creative. They also decorate them with flowers, sandalwood paste, vermilion, and turmeric. They offer prayers, incense, lamps, fruits, sweets, and other items to their tools and instruments. They also refrain from using them on this day as a mark of respect

Ayudha pooja is a festival that celebrates the culture and heritage of India. It is a time to acknowledge the role of tools and instruments in our lives and to appreciate their value and utility. It is a time to cultivate a sense of reverence and involvement towards our work and activities. It is a time to seek the divine intervention of the Goddess Durga in our endeavors and aspirations.

Each form of the Goddess also has a specific color, weapon, mount, mantra, and planet associated with it. Devotees wear clothes and offer flowers of the same color as the Goddess of the day. They also chant mantras and perform rituals to invoke her blessings.

The History and Origin of Navaratri

There are various legends and stories behind the origin and significance of Navaratri. One of the most popular ones is that of Goddess Durga's battle with Mahishasura, a powerful demon who had a boon that he could not be killed by any man or god. He terrorized the three worlds with his army of demons and challenged the gods for a war. The gods were helpless against him and sought refuge in Lord Brahma, the creator. Lord Brahma then approached Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and Lord Shiva, the destroyer, for a solution. They decided to create a new goddess from their combined energies, who would be able to defeat Mahishasura. Thus, Goddess Durga was born from the flames of their anger and fury. She was given various weapons and gifts by the gods to aid her in her mission. She rode on a lion as her mount and headed towards Mahishasura's abode.

The battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura lasted for nine days and nights. Mahishasura changed his form many times to deceive and attack the Goddess, but she countered him with her skill and power. On the tenth day, she finally pierced his chest with her trident and killed him. This day is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which means "the victory of the tenth day". It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of dharma or righteousness.

Another legend related to Navaratri is that of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, the ten-headed demon king who had abducted Lord Rama's wife Sita. Lord Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and a devotee of Goddess Durga. He performed a nine-day worship of the Goddess before he left for Lanka to rescue Sita. He also received divine weapons from her to fight against Ravana's army. On the tenth day, he shot an arrow into Ravana's navel, where his life-force was hidden, and killed him. This day is also celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, which marks the end of Ravana's tyranny and the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya.

There are other regional variations and interpretations of Navaratri as well. Some believe that it commemorates the harvest season or the onset of winter or spring. Some associate it with different goddesses such as Lakshmi, Saraswati, or Kali. Some celebrate it as a festival of dance or music or art. However, the common theme that runs through all these celebrations is that of honoring the feminine principle that sustains life and creation.

The Celebrations and Customs

Navaratri is celebrated in different ways across India and abroad. Some common features are:

• Fasting: Many devotees observe a fast or a partial fast during the nine days of Navaratri. They abstain from eating meat, alcohol, onion, garlic, and grains. They consume only fruits, milk, yogurt, and certain flours such as buckwheat, water chestnut, and amaranth. They also use rock salt instead of regular salt. Fasting is a way of purifying the body and the mind and expressing gratitude to the Goddess.
• Puja: Devotees perform puja or worship of the Goddess every day during Navaratri. They install an idol or a picture of the Goddess in their homes or temples and offer prayers, flowers, fruits, sweets, and other items. They also recite hymns and scriptures dedicated to the Goddess. Some also perform a fire ritual or a havan to invoke her presence and blessings.
• Golu: In some parts of South India, especially Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, people display dolls or figurines of gods, goddesses, saints, animals, and other themes on a stepped platform called golu or kolu. This is a way of showcasing the various aspects of creation and culture. The dolls are usually made of clay, wood, metal, or paper. They are arranged in an artistic and aesthetic manner and are decorated with lights and flowers. People invite their friends and relatives to see their golu and exchange gifts and sweets.
• Garba and Dandiya: In some parts of North India, especially Gujarat and Rajasthan, people perform garba and dandiya dances during Navaratri. Garba is a circular dance that involves clapping hands and moving feet in sync with the music. Dandiya is a dance that involves hitting sticks with partners in a rhythmic pattern. Both these dances are performed around an earthen pot or a picture of the Goddess that is placed in the center. The dances are a way of celebrating the joy and energy of the Goddess.
• Ramlila: In some parts of North India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, people enact the epic story of Ramayana during Navaratri. This is called Ramlila and it involves elaborate costumes, props, dialogues, songs, and stunts. The Ramlila culminates on the tenth day with the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnad. This is a way of depicting the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and the triumph of good over evil.

Special Foods

Navaratri is also a time to relish some special foods that are prepared during this festival. Some of these foods are:

• Sabudana Khichdi: A dish made with tapioca pearls or sago that are soaked in water and then cooked with potatoes, peanuts, green chilies, cumin seeds, curry leaves, and rock salt. It is a light and nutritious dish that provides energy during fasting.
• Kuttu Ka Dosa: A dosa or a crepe made with buckwheat flour that is mixed with water and salt and then spread on a hot griddle. It is served with potato curry or coconut chutney. It is a gluten-free dish that is rich in fiber and protein.
• Singhare Ke Atte Ka Samosa: A samosa or a fried pastry filled with a spicy mixture of boiled potatoes, green peas, ginger, green chilies, coriander leaves, lemon juice, and rock salt. The pastry is made with water chestnut flour that is kneaded with water and oil. It is a crispy and tasty snack that can be enjoyed with mint chutney or yogurt.
• Aloo Ki Kadhi: A kadhi or a yogurt-based gravy that is flavored with cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, ginger, green chilies, curry leaves, asafoetida, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, rock salt, sugar and garam masala. The gravy is thickened with water chestnut flour that is dissolved in water. The gravy is then simmered with fried potato cubes. It is a tangy and creamy dish that goes well with rice or roti.
• Makhana Kheer: A kheer or a pudding made with fox nuts or lotus seeds that are roasted in ghee and then cooked with milk, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron. It is garnished with chopped almonds, pistachios, and dried rose petals. It is a rich and delicious dessert that can be served hot or cold.
• Coconut Ladoo: A ladoo or a ball-shaped sweet made with grated coconut, condensed milk, and cardamom powder. It is rolled in desiccated coconut and decorated with cashew nuts or raisins. It is a simple and quick dessert that can be made in minutes.

Dasara is celebrated in Bengaluru with great enthusiasm and devotion. Some of the customs followed and special foods prepared during the festival are:

• Palanquin processions: On the day of Vijayadashami, many temples and communities in Bengaluru organize palanquin processions of the idols or images of Goddess Durga and her various forms. The palanquins are carried by devotees on their shoulders and are accompanied by music, dance, and chants. The processions pass through the streets and lanes of the city, spreading the festive spirit and blessings of the Goddess.
• Navratri dolls: Another popular tradition in Bengaluru is to display Navratri dolls or gombe in homes, public places, and exhibitions. The dolls are arranged on a stepped platform or a mantapa and depict various themes such as gods, goddesses, saints, animals, scenes from epics, and social life. The dolls are usually made of clay, wood, metal, or paper and are decorated with lights, flowers, and accessories. People invite their friends and relatives to see their doll collections and exchange gifts and sweets.
• Garba and Dandiya: Many people in Bengaluru also participate in garba and dandiya dances during Navratri. These are traditional dances from Gujarat and Rajasthan that involve clapping hands and hitting sticks in a circular pattern around an earthen pot or a picture of the Goddess. The dances are performed in colorful costumes and jewelry and are accompanied by lively music and songs. The dances are a way of expressing joy and energy during the festival.
• Special foods: During Navratri, many people in Bengaluru observe a fast or a partial fast and avoid eating meat, alcohol, onion, garlic, and grains. They consume only fruits, milk, yogurt, and certain flours such as buckwheat, water chestnut, and amaranth. They also use rock salt instead of regular salt. Some of the special foods that are prepared during the festival are sabudana khichdi, kuttu ka dosa, singhare ke atte ka samosa, aloo ki kadhi, makhana kheer, and coconut ladoo. These foods are light, nutritious, and delicious.

Dasara is a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil and the power and grace of the Goddess. It is a time to worship, fast, feast, dance, sing, and have fun. It is a time to express gratitude, devotion, and love