“The (Divine) Mother is
everything. She cherishes everybody, She cares for everyone and She holds
everyone as Her child. We are all sitting in Her lap, and She cares for
everybody. And this is Her Grace, Her loving, Her caring for the people that
She is there, as a mother. She is even more than a normal mother, because a
mother has a limit to how much she can give, but the Divine Mother can give a
thousand times more. And above of all, She is a model of surrender in the way
She is surrendering to Her Lord. And if one takes Her example, one will
surrender to God.” – Sri Swami Vishwananda (Excerpt from Just Love 3: Questions and Answers)
Navaratri is one of the most
marvellous events of the year. The festival is celebrated all over India and
has a rich history of traditions and cultures. Although Navaratri literally
translates to “nine nights,” the event cannot be described by that limited definition. Within the nine nights
of worshipping the Divine Mother, an enormous amount of history and
symbolism can be found in the different facets and customs observed, and it is a truly unforgettable experience.
The way that Durga is worshipped
and remembered stems from a long lineage of ancestry that has been kept intact.
Part of what makes Navaratri so festive are the different
customs associated with it, for example, the “Dandiya Raas” style of
dancing.
Another unique tradition of Navaratri is called “Bommala Kolu”. Also
known as “Bommai Golu” or “Navaratri Kolu” among other names, it is practiced primarily in Southern India during Navaratri, and is sometimes
referred to as the “festival of dolls” (more information about this below).
Part of the insight one can gain during Navaratri
is in knowing the meaning of each day. If you remember our previous blogs for
Navaratri, you might recall that every three days is dedicated to one aspect of
the Divine Mother:
The first three forms
(Shailaputri, Brahmacharini Devi, and Chandraghanta Devi) are specific to Durga,
because they exemplify the qualities of power and energy.
The next three
(Kushmanda Devi, Skanda Mata, and Katyayani Devi) are specific to Lakshmi,
since these are the Devis who give the blessing of spiritual
wealth.
The final three (Kalaratri Devi, Mahagauri Devi, and Siddhiratri Devi)
are specific to Saraswati because of the spiritual wisdom that they impart.
Dandiya Raas
If you’ve been at Shree Peetha Nilaya for Navaratri before, then you know that the concluding prayers each evening don’t signify an end to the fun. No, not at all…the party continues and the stick dancing begins! This “stick dancing” is better known as “Dandiya Raas”, which is not to be confused with the “Garba dance”, another traditional dance performed during Navaratri.
The sticks themselves are called “Dandiyas”, or “colour-decorated sticks”. In India, the Dandiya Raas is done in Gujarat and other states found in western India. The dance is associated with Krishna, and is performed during other holidays such as Holi as well.
Navaratri Kolu or Bommai Golu
Found primarily in South India, this tradition is often performed by young girls with their mothers. Each year, both families and temples arrange a Kolu, which is simply a display of symbolic dolls and deities. The Kolu contains an odd number of steps or tiers (normally five or seven) and is decorated with toys, lamps, lights, and many other colourful items and allegorical statues. The dolls are generally made from either wood or clay, and the top of the Kolu is reserved for the predominant gods and goddesses.
The tradition of Kolu is exceptionally vast and if you choose to learn more about Kolu, you will open up a box filled with ancient dolls that have consistently been an illustrious part of the Navaratri festival.
Maha Lakshmi Murthi
As Navaratri approaches, we are excited to announce the arrival of our new Maha Lakshmi murtis that have been designed by Sri Swami Vishwananda. Maha Lakshmi is the Goddess of both material and spiritual wealth. She is the one who grants us all that we need to progress in our spiritual path. As Swamiji himself has said, "Maha Lakshmi is the provider. She is the one who provides for everything in the form of the Mother." (Look for these new murtis in the Bhakti Shop during your next visit to Shree Peetha Nilaya!)
To learn more about Navaratri and its meaning, check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SriSwamiVishwananda for new posts each day about the qualities of the Divine Mother, leading right into Navaratri itself, where we will explore each aspect of Durga in greater detail.
Here's the link for Navaratri registration at Shree Peetha Nilaya: