Apologize for this very very late post, was busy up with some hospital matters and other work. I will be really thankful to receive your forgiveness. Enjoy the post. God bless you all.
Maa, Mother, Mom, etc. are the names we use to call our mothers. Right from the day you start growing in her womb, mother is the only person who is always worried for the child, father is equally responsible for taking care of his child but a mother is a mother. Mother is the only person who knows the mood and feelings of child just by reading the face and certain body language. In the time of crisis, she is the only family member who will skip her meal for her hungury kids and rest you all know about the varied qualities of a mother.
We have many goddesses in various cultures which are worshiped as our beloved mother. There are many types of rituals and celebrations through out the world to respect and worship them. Here, we are going to know about an Indian festival called Navratri (meaning Nine Nights in Sanskrit language where Nava is Nine and Ratri is Night). During these nine nights and ten days nine different goddesses (a.k.a. Shakti/Devi/Mother) are worshiped. Tenth day is called Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. It is said that there was a war held between a devil and goddess for nine days and on the tenth day goddess killed that devil and all the people celebrated the victory of goddess.
Navratri is very important festival, celebrated in major western parts like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka during which people perform traditional dance called “Garba”. It is also famous in Northern India including Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and the northern state of Punjab.
The dates of the festival are determined according to the Lunar Calendar and this period is considered as the most appropriate time for taking sacred opportunities to worship Divine Mother Durga.
Navratri is celebrated five times in a year in different months namely: Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, and the Paush/Magha Navaratri.
Nine forms of Goddesses are worshiped according to different regions as shown below:
- Maa Durga, the inaccessible one
- Maa Bhadrakali
- Maa Amba or Jagadamba, Mother of the universe
- Maa Annapoorna devi, The one who bestows grains (anna) in plenty (purna: used as subjective)
- Maa Sarvamangala, The one who gives joy (mangal) to all (sarva)
- Maa Bhairavi
- Maa Chandika or Chandi
- Maa Lalita
- Maa Bhavani
- Maa Mookambika
Jay Aadhya Shakti (Do not worry about rythm and music, it may not be same but lyrics are same all over)
Garba – Traditional Dance performed during Navratri
Ravan Dahan on the tenth day
During Navratri festivals people do fasting and during that time they eat different dishes as substitute of regular meal:
- Sundal
- Sabudana vada
- Sabudana Khichadi
- Makhane Ki Sabzi
- Sawank Ke Chawal
- Dahi Pudine Wale Aloo
- Makhane Ki Sabzi
- Shakarkandi Ki Chaat
- Sabudana Papad
- Banana Raita
- Aloo Raita
- Singhare Ke Pakode
- Banana Chips
- Kaddu Ka Raita
- Malaiwale Kofte
- Fruits/Fruit Juices
- Sabudana Khir
- Bhagar
Next year, I hope you all will be enjoying Navratri festival along with all the Indians around the world with colorful dresses, jewelleries, lights, colors, dance and more than that with love and fun.
May our lovely pretty loving mothers forgive us for any small or big mistake we made in our life and bless us all with love, light, power and good health. Love you mom!
doyoureckon 