DUSSERA   or                           NAVARATHRI

"The Festival of Joy"

         - P.Krishnamoorthy

Dussera or 'Navarathri' (nine nights) festival is one of the greatest festivals of India. Thia festival is celebrated  starting from the new moon day to the ninth day  of Ashwin, according to Hindu calendar (corresponding to October) during which the God is worshipped in the form of Mother. This is a period of introspection and purification. Navrathyri is traditionally an auspicious time for starting new ventures, as during this period, Durga, Saraswathi and Lakshmi  are worshipped as three different manifestations of Shakthi or Cosmic Energy. The festival is celebrated throughout the length and breadth of India by Hindus in all regions in different forms and festivities. The underlying doctrine of this festival is the victory of good over the evil.

In South India Navrathri is celebrated with Godesses - Durga, Lakshmi and Sarawathias each of these Gods give us something different - health, wealth and knowledge respectively.  They divide the nine nights and concentrate on each God for three days each. It is recognised in a certain order because of tradition. During these days all offer 'pooja' (prayers) for the God each night. They also offer 'prasad' (cooked food) in front of the idols on a silver plate and sing prayer songs.

The dolls or figures of various Gods are arranged in steps like a staircase, depicting various legends of Hindu mythology like Rama's cornation, Krishna's various avatars, Vishnu's Dasavaratharam (ten avatars culminating in Kalki avatar. The whole place is decorated with festoons and colorful lights.  Some decorate this purely with fresh flowers.

]Each day the ritual starts with reciting prayers songs on Godesses such as 'Lalitha Sahasranamam'. 'Devi Bhagawatham', and other Sanskrit stanzas. In the evenings, they light the 'Kuthuvilakku'  (brass lamps)  and offer flowers and fruits to the Gods. It is the time each family invite their neighbors and friends and offer 'thamboolam' (a small gift, coconut, a little 'kumkum' and turmeric. to womenfolk. In the end they do the 'Mangala Aarthi'(in a plate they mix some turmeric powder and kumkum with water)to the Gods with a song.

On the penultimate day - 'Sarawathi Pooja' day prayers are offered specifically to Goddess Sarawathi - 'Sarawathi Pooja' day. On this day they place few books before the idol or picture of Goddess Saraswathi the deity of knowledge and learning. Children begin  their school education or career planning on this day and seek their  elders' blessings. 

On the last day of 'Navathri" - 'Vijayadasmi' day, they offer prayers to the tools they used, instruments, the vehicles, machinery et. for continued prosperity. On the last two days all establishments, academic institutions and offices and factories to remain closed to observe these prayers.

In the northern states of India, this destival is called as 'Dusserra'  and celebrated as the homecoming of Lord Rama, the hero of the epic 'Ramayana', after his victory over Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka. In the vast  open spaces, Ramleela,  the folk play of excerpts from  Ramayana,  with music and dialogues, retelling the story of Rama and enacted till the wee hours. Songs are recited in praise of Rama. Thousands witness this spectacle of  traditional theater with its exaggarated costumes, jewellary, makeup and drama. Larger than life figures of Ravana and other demons are burnt on cold dark nights with fireworks display in the sky.

Dusserra  is alsop reminiscent of the end of the exile and banishment of Pandava prines in the Mahabhratha and their  return  with their weapons  to reclaim their kingdom. In memory of this epic story people in western state Maharashtrs, worship the implements of their professions.

In the eastern part, this festival is celebrated as the greatest "Durga Pooja" . As the legend goes, Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days. The mode of journey to earth, as detailed in sciptures, is on an elephant, a horse, a palenquin, a boat, all signify luck, which influence the life on earth. In the year 2002 the Godes arrived on boat and departed on an elephant. Godess Durga's arrival on boat signifies good harvest, growth and prosperity, while her departure on the elephant indicates greenary and properity throughout  the year.

Durga Pooja is celebrated with worship to Mother Godes in 'Pandals' for nine days and in the last day, the idol is carried in procession for immersion in a river.It is autumn and Nature adorns herself to welcome the 'Mother Durga'. Rabindra Sangeet, traditional dances and various cultural programs form a part of the celebrations.