Significance and History

Translating to nine nights in Sanskrit, Navratri is a festival celebrated across India.  It is observed twice every year, once during spring called Chaitra Navratri and once during autumn called Sharad Navratri.  The latter is more popular and falls during the months of September or October and culminates on the 10th day as Dussehra or Vijayadashami.  Sharad Navratri falls this year on 17th Oct and goes on till the 25th of the month.  The festival is an ode to the power of Goddess Durga who is worshipped in all her 9 avatars.

Legend has it that Goddess Durga fought hard for nine days to destroy the evil demon Mahishasura and emerged victorious on the 10th day which gave rise to this festival and celebration.  The Goddess is considered to be the embodiment of Shakti and all supremacy and people worship the deity for Her blessings to overcome all obstacles in their lives.  It is associated with the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana in North India and hence burning effigies of the latter is common during the festival.

Navratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India and this includes the display of dolls called Gollu in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, as Ramaleela in the North and installation of life size idols of Lord Durga in West Bengal.  

Diverse rituals and customs

It is interesting to note that each day in Navaratri is associated with a different colour and a different form or avatar of Goddess Durga.  All nine days are considered highly auspicious and sacred and is a celebration of Maa Durga as she is called.  Devotees also dress up in the colours associated with each day during this period.  The celebrations are kicked off on the first day with the installation of the holy “Kalash” which is symbolic of the beginning of the festival.  Grey is the colour associated with the first day and Maa Durga is worshipped as “Shailputri”.  The second day (Dwitiya) she is worshipped as “Brahmacharini” and orange which is the colour of tranquillity and knowledge is the related colour.  The third day (aka Thritiya), the goddess is worshipped in the form of Chandraghanta and white which is symbolic of peace and serenity is the colour associated with the third day.  

Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Kushmanda and is decked up in Red on Chaturthi.  On Panchami, Maa Durga is worshipped as Skanda Mata and the colour of the day is Royal blue. Yellow which represents joy and cheerfulness is the colour of Shasti or the 6th day and the Goddess is worshipped as Katyayani.  On the 7th day the deity is worshipped in the form of Kalaratri and green which is the colour of nature is the colour of Saptami.   Ashtami sees Maa Durga as Gowri and is decked up in resplendent peacock green.  On the final day i.e. Navami or the ninth day Durga takes the form of Siddhidhatri and purple which represents ambition and energy is the colour of the day.  

Typically, the festival is an ode to the supremacy of the divine feminine power.  In the south and some other parts of India, the first three days are dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the next three for Goddess Saraswathi and the last 3 for Goddess Durga.  While Kanya puja or the worship of young girls is done in some parts, Saraswathi pooja is an important part of the rituals in South India.  The initiation of school education or “Aksharabhyasa” is done for many small children on Saptami which is Saraswathi pooja day.  

Food and festivities

In many parts of the country, Navratri is a period of fasting and people follow a strict diet which includes consumption of foraged foods like sabudana, millets, buckwheat flour, singhare ka atta and pink salt.  The use of non-vegetarian food, onions and garlic is strictly prohibited.  Hence sabudana khichdi, singhare atte ka halwa, lauki ka halwa, kuttu puris, kheer etc are some of the delicacies that are prepared.  

In states like Gujarat Garba performances and Dandiya Raas are held in honour of Goddess Durga.  Kulu in Himachal Pradesh is a town known for its elaborate Dussehra celebrations.  The culmination of Navratri is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami on the 10th day which is considered as one of the most auspicious days of the year.  It is a perfect occasion to start any new ventures. 

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Significance and History of Durga Puja

Celebrated widely in West Bengal and neighbouring states like Orissa, Bihar, Assam and Tripura, Durga puja this year commences on 22-Oct and ends on 26-Oct. During this period, people pray to the embodiment of power, Goddess Durga by installing huge idols of clay that are set up in elaborate pandals.  It is common to see idols of the ten-armed goddess riding atop a lion being worshipped in ornately decorated pandals with great fervour and passion across these states.  The tableau of Goddess Durga also has the idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kartikeya.

The earliest record of Durga Puja being celebrated grandly dates back to the 1500s when it was patronized by the zamindars and rich landlords.  The credit for the first community puja is given to a group of twelve friends of Guptipara in Hoogly who organized the puja and collected funds from local residents to perform the ‘baro-yaari’ puja way back in 1790. Since then the celebration of Durga Puja in West Bengal especially in the capital city Kolkata has grown by leaps and bounds with new age pandals being built year on year centred around creative and innovative themes.  One of the themes this year incidentally is ‘Coronasura’ and the Goddess is seen slaying the coronavirus monster rather than the demon Mahishasura.

Preparations galore

Preparations for Durga puja start as early as April and the new year aka Pôhela Boishakh (Baisakhi) is considered an auspicious day for many pandal organizers to start preparation.  Path breaking and socially relevant themes for the pandals are decided and the artists to work on the pandal and Pratima (idol) are finalized.  This is considered a crucial step as artists are in high demand and organizers want to work with the best of them.  Once the preparations are done and details finalized, the customary Khuti puja is done which originates from centuries old tradition of ‘Kathamo puja’ wherein the wooden frame on which the clay idol is built is worshipped.  This signals the commencement of the festivities and is done by most pandal committees on the auspicious day of the Rath Yatra.  

The idols are laboriously handcrafted by a community of highly skilled artists who reside in Kumartuli which is a potter’s locality in North Kolkata.  Materials used include clay from river beds, hay, straw and wooden chips.  The idols are made with dedication and an unstinted devotion and they are kept completely ready except for the eyes.  The latter are drawn after a special ritual called Chokku Daan or Chakshudan on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya.  It is believed that the Goddess descends on earth on this day and blesses the artist to craft Maa Durga’s expressive eyes.  The idols are then taken home or to the pandals and grandly decorated with vermilion, jewellery and silk clothes.  

Unique rituals

There are several rituals that mark the festivities of Durga Puja that start on Shashti.  People wear new clothes on this day and welcome the goddess with the blowing of the conch and beating of drums.  The idol’s face is uncovered and this ceremony is called Bodhon.  On Saptami which is often referred to as Maha Saptami, a ritual called Nabapatrika or the Kola Bou Snan is performed wherein eight leaves from eight auspicious trees are tied to a small banana plant.  The latter is wrapped in a red bordered saree and bathed and the nine leaves are considered to be the nine avatars of Goddess Durga.  On Maha Ashtami it is time for rituals like Kumari Puja, Anjali and Shandhi Puja.  Dhunuchi Naach is a special custom performed in the evening on Ashtami and Navami after aarti.  Women hold clay pots filled with coconut husk, incense and camphor and perform a dance.  When the clay pots are lit, the fragrance of the camphor and incense create a soulful atmosphere quite like none other.  The last or tenth day is all about bidding farewell to the goddess as she is immersed in a ritual called Visarjan.  Married women spray vermilion on each other in a custom called Sindur Khela and greet each other with good wishes until the next puja.

Festivities and food

Durga puja is a time when friends and relatives come together, shop for new clothes and exchange gifts with one another.  Pandal hopping and catching up with near and dear ones is a key activity amidst enjoying the delectable bhog or festival food that is served in the pandals.

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Come March and it is time for one of the most awaited festivals of the year, Holi. A festival of colour, camaraderie and celebration, Holi is all about spending time and bonding with family, friends and loved ones. Like all Indian festivals it celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Festival of Spring

It is that time of the year when winter has come to an end and the warmth has just begun to take over. There is greenery all around coupled with colourful flowers and blooms all around. Yes, Spring is in the air and this magical season is not only one of the most beautiful but is an ode to new beginnings. According to the Hindu Calendar it is the month of “Phalgun” which is one of the most auspicious times of the year. Holi is observed on the full moon night or Poornima of the Phalgun month.

Holi and the floral connection

Did you known that the festival of Holi is intrinsically associated with a flower? Well, yes this is true. The vibrant and bright flower of the “Tesu or Palaash” tree which is also known as the flame of the forest is the flower of Holi. Legend has it that Lord Krishna used to play Holi with these flowers and till date it is a custom in Vrindavan to play Holi with flowers. It is a tradition for people here to prepare the traditional yellow orange colour from the dried Palaash flowers to celebrate the festival and shower floral petals on one another.

Holi 2020: celebration with a difference

This year Holi falls on 9-March and given the times we live in, it is only right that we all celebrate the festival in the true spirit which means being conscious of our environment and ensuring that we protect it for the sake of our future generations. Holi is many a time associated with the indiscriminate use of chemical colours, water balloons and the mindless waste of galloons of water. It is high time we focus on the conservation of natural resources especially water for it is a resource that is both scarce and precious. It is imperative that we change with the times and work towards saving water as it is of paramount importance and our social responsibility. Here are ten tips for a water free Holi.

An eco-friendly bonfire

Holika Dehan usually happens on the eve of Holi. It is a time when families make offerings of sweet delicacies and flowers to the bonfire which is symbolic of destroying all things evil and negative. Ensure you follow the tradition in an environmentally friendly way and burn natural waste like coconut shells and cow dung cakes along with incense sticks and dhoop.

Tilak Holi

One of the easiest and simplest way to celebrate the essence of Holi is by applying the customary ‘tilak’ on the forehead. Soak in the festive vibes by spending time with family and friends.

Celebrate it with dry colours

There are several ways to make eco friendly colours which are also have innumerable benefits for the skin and hair. Use natural materials like hibiscus flowers for red colour, beetroot for a pink tinge, neem leaves for green, saffron for orange and turmeric for yellow. Rice flour is a key ingredient to make these dry colours. Sprinkling dry natural colours and having fun with family and friends is a great way to enjoy the festival without wasting copious amounts of water.

Play with flowers

If you cannot imagine holy without colours, you can also opt for floral petals. Spread positive vibes by showering petals on one another. Just ensure that the petals are disposed along with wet waste so it can be recycled.

Avoid playing with water balloons, water guns and pichkaris Spraying coloured water, getting wet all over and wasting galloons of water in having a bath and cleaning oneself can be completely avoided. Instead stick to a simple celebration, sans these gadgets.

Indulge in Spring Cleaning

Usher in the good vibes by spring cleaning your homes. Declutter, get rid of things that you do not use and flush out not only unnecessary stuff but also the negative vibes. Use a combination of flowers and organic colours to bring elegance to rangolis at the entrance or in verandas. Make floral arrangements in your living room to boost the positive, festive ambience.

Gorge on sumptuous food

No mention of celebration is complete without food. Invite friends and family over and bond over delectable gujiyas, kachoris and kheer. Have a potluck to add to the fun.

Painting and Rangoli competitions

If celebrating Holi in an apartment complex or a society, organize painting competitions for kids to make them understand the essence of colour. A rangoli competition for adults is a great idea too.

Indulge in song and dance

A fun karaoke, an impromptu dance or the all-time favourite antakshari are all fun ways to celebrate the festival. Holi is after all a time to foster friendships and bury past differences.

Send in those floral gifts

Sending flowers to loved ones is an excellent way to bond with them. Take time to choose meaningful flowers for the occasion and do not forget a hand written note to make the other person feel special and loved.

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