NAVARAATHRI the festival of lights and KOLU the festival of dolls.
Navaraathri is the worship of the female trinity of Goddesses; Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi. Our cosmos envisages the existence of Brahman the absolute. In Sanskrit, Brahman is in the neuter gender. It has no gender and refers to the completeness (PURNAM). The male trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva each
has his own well defined sphere of activity. They are all in the masculine gender in Sanskrit. The Primordial Energy:- Adi Shakthi which is in feminine gender in Sanskrit, generated three PURNAMS-- Veeryam (Heroism) represented by Durga; Dhanam (wealth) represented by Lakshmi and Vidya (learning-knowledge) represented by Saraswathi, each one of them alternately engaged in their own task.
Navaarathri occurs in the month of Kanyaa (Purattaasi) in some years and in the others in the month of Tula (Aippasi), corresponding to September or October. Just as Narayana is invoked by 'Ashtaakshari' or eight syllables "Om Namoh Narayanaaya" , Siva by the 'Panchaakshari' or five syllables "Namah Sivaaya",
Adi Shakti is invoked by the Navaakshari or nine syllables "Hreem Durgaa, Lakshmi Saraswathi" in the Sanskrit language, the language of the Divinity, "Devanagiri". Navaraathri worship is called Dussera in North India. In Bengal it is the most important festival and exclusively dedicated to Durga. At the conclusion of nine nights of worship, the image of Goddess Durga is immersed in water on the tenth day. The exclusive and special worship of Lakshmi is done during Divali in North India, and Saraswathi during Basant Panchami in Bengal.
In most parts of India, Navaraathri festival is celebrated as the glorification of Goddess Shakthi's victory over Mahishasura, a buffalo headed demon. According to legend, he managed to get a boon from Brahma of immortality, if at all he was to be killed it could be only by a woman, not born in any womb (a-yonijaa). His arrogance knew no bounds and the afflicted Devas, during this period supplicated to Primeval Energy Adi-Shakthi. To wipe the tears of the suffering devas and to give them solace, she assumed the form of Durga (one who is inaccessible) and killed this demon. She is there for us as, Mahishasura Mardini (crusher of demon Mahishasura). In a nutshell this occasion is the apotheosis, glorification and adoration of the female aspect of divinity. With great fervor this shakthi worship is performed by Bengalis and the eighth day of Navaraathri called Durga-ashtami is indeed their most important festival of all.
In South India, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi are worshipped generally during this festival. The first three days are devoted to the worship of Durga (provider of strength and energy); the second period of three days to Lakshmi (provider of wealth and prosperity) and the last three days to Saraswathi (provider of learning wisdom and enlightenment). In some parts of India on the eighth day Lord Viswakarma (provider of engineering and architectural skills) is also worshipped. This day is also earmarked for Aayudha Pooja; (worship of tools and instruments ). Artisans worship their tools and convert their place of work into altars for Aayudha Pooja. This also extends to bicycles, bullock carts, cars, buses, trucks. Such vehicles are given religious decorations and worshipped. How life would be, without basic tools and implements is beyond comprehension!!. Hence the reverence and Pooja. Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped on the ninth day by creating an altar of books, musical instruments and tools representing skills. No study or learning is carried out on this day.
On the tenth day, known as Vijayadasami, Godess Saraswathi is worshipped again. The books from the altar are received with the blessings of the elders and some time is spent on study. On this day a child begins to learn the alphabets in a ceremony known as Akshara-abhyaasa. New businesses are started, and it is considered auspicious to start music, dance and other educational endeavors for young and old, and this is called "Vidya-arambam" (commencement to learn an art). It is believed that any trade or skill begun on this day will succeed. In Bengal Saraswathi Pooja is celebrated on Basant Panchami day. Saraswathi Pooja marks the beginning of any type of learning. One offers gifts to ones teacher as mark of thanks, seek their blessings and prays for success in ones endeavors.
Navaraathri is a festival of enjoyment for people of all ages and both sexes, especially children and teens of female sex. In fact all Hindu festivals are socio-religious in observance and the central theme is the victory of virtue over unrighteousness, good over evil, light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance.
In South India the festival of KOLU PANDIGAI (display of dolls) is very famous. During Navaraathri Goddess Durga holds court or durbar complete with her crown, sceptre and mace. This durbar, or royal assembly of dolls is called Kolu. It is an unwritten law and the convention that the first two dolls put on the show are those of a couple made of wood called "marappacchi" or Tirupathi dolls. Most households have a collection of dolls made of wood, porcelain, clay or paper mache, a part of which is passed down from generation to generation. Traditionally the mother hands over some dolls to the daughter, when she is given away in marriage, and she in turn does the same. The collection is enriched and supplemented in the course of ones life. Wooden stools, benches and boxes are kept tier over tier, like the steps of a staircase and dolls are arranged on them. They must be in odd number counts (3, 5, 7, 9). According to mythology, Devi's chariot had nine tiers and she was seated on the top tier with all the weapons given to her by all the Gods of the Hindu pantheon. The chariots of the female generals under her command, had 7, 5 or 3 tiers, this is why odd number of tiers are chosen for display. Carpenters also sell ready made steps which are assembled at this time and go back to storage disassembled after the event. The number nine is significant for Navaraathri, navaaksharee denotes nine steps. Before the steps and icons are set up, a "Kalasam" (vessel filled with water with coconut placed on top with some mango leaves between the vessel and the coconut) is installed on the first step invoking Goddess Shakthi. Common sights of dolls are, Vishnu residing on Adisesha on the milk of the ocean, Shiva and Shakthi and so on. The eighth step sports incarnations of the absolute such as avataars of Vishnu, Nataraja the dancing form of Shiva, Kali in her dancing form etc. Some decorations also include ground cover like the depiction of a village. Children usually are given the opportunity to sprout lentils to create a field, farm with cattle, dogs, chickens etc. This encourages innovative thinking among the young to create something unique to their household. Creative artists also design blocks of houses, hospitals, battlefields, shops, markets, gardens, parks, railway stations with toy trains running around, zoos with animals. Once the Kolu has been set, it is not to be disturbed till the ninth day. On Vijayadasami night, a single doll is moved to a reclining position, marking the ceremonial end of this celebration. The belief is that for nine days the trinity of Goddesses are set to be "Nista" or meditation sitting on a pin, and nothing is to disturb them.. Also during this period, no sewing or cutting of material is done in homes. Thus the KOLU represents in itself the whole gamut of creation and beyond from God absolute to the lowest and the smallest in creation. The dolls return to safe storage after the tenth day.
Groups of girls and ladies invite and are invited, and visit each others houses in the evenings, in their best attire to view the Navaraathri display, sometimes also dressing up as different mythological characters. The visitors entertain the host by singing and dancing. There is a display of talents and expertise in full, not to mention the finery of dresses. In temples such as Madurai Meenakshi and Mylapore Kapaleeswara, the kolu tradition continues, where all can participate including those who cannot afford their own kolu arrangement. In recent years, KOLU has gained commercial importance and artistic creativity. Model displays of KOLU expositions can be viewed in Handicrafts emporiums of 'Poompuhar' in Chennai, 'Kaveri' in Bangalore and handicraft emporiums in Tirupathi during the ten days of Navaraathri.
The prasadam for kolu is usually "chundal" (cooked and spiced channa/lentils)
Various kinds of grains and lentils (rich in protein) are boiled and tempered with salt, some condiments, and fresh coconut shavings. Our ancestors were very thoughtful indeed in making provision for this tasty protein rich prasadam. This is given away to visitors who come to share the festive occasion. Also the practice of giving "Vethilai-Pakku" to the visitor is a common and definite practice. Haldi (turmeric), Kumkum (red vermillion), betel leaves (paan) and areca nut(supaari) with a fruit, is given to all female visitors. This is a way of honoring the guest and a gift of this nature is supposed to increase the prosperity and happiness of the host family.
Navaraathri is also otherwise known as Dussera (ten nights) to include Vijayadasami day. It is associated with the killing of Raavana, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit, and the emancipation of Pandavas from exile at the end of the thirteen years, and the victory of Arjuna in the battle with Duryodhana, fighting for King Viraate who was their benefactor during exile. In northern India effigies of Ravana are taken in procession on the tenth day and burnt in public, as marking the end of the tyranny and evil.
The Navaraathri before Divali is not to be confused with Vasanta Navaraathri, which occurs in the month of Chaitra (Mesha) and is performed to propitiate divinty in the female aspect. This festival is celebrated in Shiva temples and the presiding deities are taken in procession to the Vasanta Mandapam (Hall) of such temples. This Navaraathri culminates with the Navami.
Chandi Homa (sacrifical fire offerings to Goddess Durga), Akanda Ramaayana path (non stop reading of Tulsidas Ramayana for 24 hours) reading of Valmiki Ramayana, Sapta Shati yantra pooja (worship of Durga and chanting of 700 slokas on Durga from Devi Mahaatmiyam) Durga pooja, Lakshmi pooja, Saraswathi pooja, Aayudha pooja, Viswakarma pooja, etc form the part of the religious rituals during Navaraathri. During KOLU, Jamboo Savaari (grand procession of the king of Mysore and now Goddess Durga) and Ram leela (enacting Ramaayana) are the socio-religious part of the Navaraathri.