NAVARATRI CLELBRATIONS OF TAMILNADU, INDIA

[Gurukrishnapriya]

NAVARATRI CELEBRATIONS OF TAMILNADU, INDIA

NAVARATRI, DUSSERAH, DURGA POOJA, AYUDHA POOJA, VIJAYA DASAMI all these names denote one festival i.e. the festival of 9 days and 10th day being victorious.

My fellow LGs from different states in India like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal and Karnataka have posted about how this Navaratri Festival is Celebrated in their respective states.

In Tamilnadu there is a different flavour to this festival.

In Temples the Navaratri Festival is celebrated for 10 days in a grand manner. The idols are decorated in different forms of Goddesses and taken out in procession in palanquins. Cultural events, like music and dance are organised in Temples during this period. Dolls of Gods, Goddess, people and animals are exhibited on steps arranged for this purpose.

This festival is celebrated for 9 days, 3 days are dedicated to the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, 3 days to the Goddess of strength, Durga and 3 days to the Goddess of knowledge, Saraswathi and then the 10th day is Vijaya Dashami, means the victorious tenth day. It is believed that these 3 Goddesses combined their strength and valour and passed it to Goddess Chanmundeswari to kill the bull-headed demon Mahishasura. After a fierceful fight for 9 days, the Goddess emerged victorious on the 10th day. That is Vijaya Dashami. This implies the victory of good over evil.

Dolls of Goddesses of wealth, strength and knowledge displayed in a Temple. Picture by LG Guru Krishna Priya.

In shops and offices, the 9th day is observed as Ayudha Pooja. This day they clean the entire place. Apply sandal, Kumkum and keep flowers on all items like furniture, computers and all things used in that shop or office and worship all the items. Even in homes all the appliances are worshipped. Vehicles like cars, scooters, bicycles etc. are given a wash, decorated with flowers and then worshipped.

Educational Institutions and other learning places, the 9th day is celebrated as Saraswathi Pooja and the 10th day, the Vijaya Dashami day is celebrated as a special occasion. This day some Educational Institutions offer admissions to children into their institutions. Students get blessings from their teachers.

Typewriter in an Educational institution during pooja. Picture by LG Guru Krishna Priya.

At homes this festival is celebrated by inviting friends and relatives to their houses to see the exhibits of dolls (Bommai Golu).

Bommai Golu or exhibit of dolls in my friend’s house. Picture by LG Guru Krishna Priya.

It is believed that during Navaratri all the Gods and Goddesses visit our homes and hence dolls of different Gods and Goddess are arranged on steps as an indication of their presence and pooja is performed. Some dolls are arranged in a theme.

Arrangement of dolls as a marriage function. Picture by LG Guru Krishna Priya.

On the whole this Festival is celebrated by every one in all places either be at home or office or Temple or at school

This post is a part of #TeamIndia by @TravellerG and Team

Initiated by @ermest for #Teamchallenge

#South India Local Guides

#Tamilnadu Local Guides

#Chennai Local Guides

[Shrut19]

Namskar…

** @Gurukrishnapriya **

As a Indian I know various traditional & celebration in Our India, but when I became a part of TeamIndia, my knowledge growing up by reading Team India’s post by post, I am not only enjoying reading, also motivated my self…

I like your all photos with your experience, Thankyou for sharing this festival experience with us…

[NareshDarji]

Thanks for sharing this informative post about Navaratri festival from south india @Gurukrishnapriya because in this post I’ve read something interesting facts about this festival.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Namaskar @Shrut19

I was determined to post this today itself and hurriedly completed it. So unable to tag anyone. Please help by tagging your friends and also please give your feedback.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks @NareshDarji

Yes it is different kind of celebration here in Tamil Nadu. But in Chennai you can see all kinds of Celebrations.

[Tejal]

@Gurukrishnapriya

Amazing celebration with dalls. Different state has their different way to celebrate festival we play as dance foam and pooja together and you follow worship of dalls( statue of goddess) .

Regards tejal

[ErmesT]

A great post as usual @Gurukrishnapriya

10 days seems to be a very long time, and I love the fact that on day 10 there is the possibility for the children to be admitted on educational institutions.

Thank you very much for sharing

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Yes @Tejal

Here we have contests also for the best display. Here also we have programmes for dancing and singing. But in your place every one will dance.

Thanks for your valuable comments

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks @ErmesT

Yes 10 days may be long. But visiting friends and families, sharing gifts. The time will fly away. I have hundreds of photos taken on doll exhibits from many of my friends houses.

Yes the 10th day is auspicious day for learning.

Thanks again.

[Shrut19]

Namskar…

** @Gurukrishnapriya **

Sure,

as per my duty for Our Team India,

I would like to tagging some team members,

** @rohitwadke **

** @shreyasee **

** @Vinay_K **

** @PuneTraveler **

** @Narayan11 **

** @NileshNag **

** @RosyKohli **

to know your feedback, about this post, thanks in advance

Respectively yours…

[aaryesdee]

@Gurukrishnapriya

An Indian traditional festival celebrated across States in cultural diversity. In olden days, while Ayudha pooja is performed, children’s are not supposed to read, write or open their books. Irrespective of the profession, their tools and tackles were kept for pooja.

Now, it’s changed a lot. However, the spirit of the festivity is maintained.

Thanks for sharing with us, this wonderful post.

Regards

aaryesdee

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks a lot for your observations. @aaryesdee . Yes in present days slowly the traditional ways are disappearing. But still there are many families following them.

[IshantHP_ig]

Hello** @Gurukrishnapriya **ma’am

Thanks a lot for sharing the beautiful traditional post related to Navaratri celebrations, which is truly amazing because you describe everything so nicely especially about the story of Mahishasur and Goddess Durga which really caught my attention. I really like your post.

So i’m.directly to some of my friends LG so that they can also share valuable feedbacks:

** @veeryoga @shivpandey @Shruti_U @BunnyAyush @Nitish-Bhatt **

[TravellerG]

So sorry for being late… dear team member, @Gurukrishnapriya …

Very happy to read this beautiful post - so much of details, that to in simple style…

I would say that the photos are contextual and Colourful!

Thank you very much for Tagging me & sharing this beautiful post

Interesting post with valuable info - Hope our LG friends @ImNikunj91 @Avraham_Jurado @anazizullah @veeryoga @MAHMOUDALWAN @OlgaKlimchik

Thanks in advance, dear all

[Narayan11]

You provided very good information.
The dolls in this photo look very beautiful. Where can I find these dolls?

@Gurukrishnapriya

Regards

[Mukesh71]

Thanks a Lot @Gurukrishnapriya for this informative post on this platform. You have smartly cover major Indian auspious festival of India. By your post LGs, from diffrent parts of the globe, be able to know about the great Indian festivals. All included pictures are really good.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks a lot @IshantHP_ig for your valuable feedback. Through Connect we are able to share our views. I am really happy to know the one festival Navaratri is celebrated in different ways. Feeling proud of our Group.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Hi @TravellerG Sir,

First of all thanks a million times for forming this Team, guiding us and motivating us.

I am really happy to be a part of this Team. I pray God that this should continue and more people should join hands.

I cherish your valuable feedback and guidance.

Thanks again for making this happen.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Thanks a lot @Narayan11 .

Yes the dolls are beautiful. Here a month before Navaratri the dolls will come to market. Even roadside stalls are also set up for selling these dolls.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Hi @Mukesh71

Thank you very much. As you mentioned LGs throughout the world will be able to know about our festivals.

Thanks again for your valuable comments and feedback.