Navratri- New Beginnings

September 24, 2006

Navratri- New Beginnings

Filed under: Chicken Soup For The Soul,India n Me,Our Festivals — Kaveeta Oberoi Kaul @ 12:17 pm

Navratris 2008..click here

Comments (13)

13 Comments »

commercialisation kills it all.

Or navratri was a religious time.

Comment by anonymous — September 25, 2006 @ 12:29 pm | Reply
From where do these people get the energy to dance night after night?? I thought they were supposed to be fasting! so do they actually fast or its more like the folks back home are fasting while these folks get busy frolicking.I have never been to a dandiya and dont intend to go.A visit to the temple is necessary for meand that is what i do.

Comment by dilip — September 25, 2006 @ 1:11 pm | Reply
nowadays hardly anyone I know fasts for all nine days..it is a difficult fast.. no ‘anna’ only fruits, potatoes, milk and singhada atta rotis once a day, So I keep the first and last day and the rest of the days play garba..just joking..just a couple of days of Dandiya..one has to work also.But its great fun..especally dressing up.

Comment by neha — September 25, 2006 @ 3:24 pm | Reply
I didnt know there were different days for the goddess
n what is sinhada atta? is it available freely?

Comment by puja — September 25, 2006 @ 4:12 pm | Reply
i trust them all.. amen! n still i have a lot of ‘why’s to ask!!
religion is never debated upon, never amended.. just followed.
the communal harmony, the joyous overtones as well as the regards for family n social bondages make all our festivals, what they are.. but why cannot religion be cleansed of its divides- man woman, the castes, the ‘parampara’ n crap!! n then we wud run for arjun singh’s head- reservationz!! somewhere the society, religion n the godz above have decided to keep these puzzles under wrapz:) well, till then am happy eating my fill, dancing away n placing sum kiddish demands for mum to fulfill:)!
happy pujas to all n well.. where does the energy come from?? hmmm… the heart! as does the strength n beliefs in the fasts n rituals laid down.. mite sound archaic.. but thatz reality!

Comment by saptarshi — September 25, 2006 @ 5:04 pm | Reply
Dear Kaveetaa, wishing you and all, a splendid celebration!! Have a dance for me, will you?

With Loving Kindness,
North

Comment by North — September 26, 2006 @ 6:52 am | Reply
hey guys,
So hows it going? true.. fasting and dancing dont mix. But then youth is a reservoir of energy generated form the excitement of being in the right company..eh neha?
@ Puja, singhadas are water chestnuts, available these days to be eaten raw as well. They are crunchy and bland but so distinctly fresh. When dried and powdered, the ‘atta’ is used to prepare chapatis especially during fasts when cereals are forbidden..like this one. Most food malls keep a regular supply. Those who have a wheat grinder at home, can prepare it themselves..which I do sometimes.
@ Saptarshi,
I get your drift..but sense that you are treating the terms religion as synonymous with customs/beliefs/traditions/.Religion has not essentially created the divides. It is the interpretation by closed minded individuals who failing to gage the larger picture, got bogged dpwn in the web of caste and class. Holy texts rarely if ever, speak of anything except love, humanity, and the need to explore the inner world. It is up to us individually to sift through and reclaim what is pertinent to our lives.
Happy puja to you all as well..May the Mother shower you with Her Blessings.
@ North,
I rarely go for the dance events..but will keep you in my prayers. The ritual lamp lit in the temple space shines forth blessings for all who may even envisage being in its presence. Hoping for a joyous year ahead for you and all.
Jai Mata Di
Love

Comment by kaveetaakaul — September 26, 2006 @ 2:00 pm | Reply
Dear Kaveetaa, I am a moth to the flame of the lamp… thankyou for your blessings/prayers; and extend the same joys to you Kaveetaa!!

Love,
North

Comment by North — September 27, 2006 @ 7:48 am | Reply
hi, navraatri ki shubhkamnaayein an Ramzan mubarak to all of you.
You forgot to mention that the word ‘ garba’ comes from ‘garbha’ or ‘womb’!
May i please say that i HATE all the loud music that they have to play for garba…i mean, how about some respect for others…
Even the Bongs in Mumbai, at least in the very yuppie Lokhandwala go berserk, with loud music and all… and also I have not heard one single non bollywood number, a little bit of tradition would be a nice touch , don’t you think.Yes, not even the usual, Sab se bada tera naam’ , instead i hear a sad and loud version of ‘Ajeeb dastan hai yeh’…wierd!
Compared to the serene Durga Pujo in Delhi , it is LOUD.
anyway, this is Nandini with a new blog which is called aluchaat. and i am as confused as ever!

Comment by aluchaat — September 27, 2006 @ 12:27 pm | Reply
Hi Nandini,

Chatpatti aluchaat eh?

Its interesting you bring up the origins of ‘garba’.while not alluding to ‘womb’ in its obvious denotation, it refers to the ‘light within’.
Have a look at this:

A “GARBO” is an earthen pot with holes all around and “Light” within which signifies knowledge. The word Garbo seems to have originated from the word “Garbha Deep”, meaning a Light in the inner sanctum of the temple.

In the villages of Gujarat, the Garbo is placed in the center and brightly dressed ladies move around it singing and and playing a dance form called Garba.

The concept of Garbo is related to microcosm (smaller analysis ) and macrocosm ( larger analysis).
Microcosm : An earthen pot with holes, through which a flickering light shines through is similar to the human body (an earthen pot) with inner light of god within.
Macrocosm : The Universe of ours is as an earthen pot and light (Sun, Sakti) energy of the supreme reality shining through.

Moving around a circle in a Garbo, indicate the never-ending cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction phases of supreme reality. So now you know what you’ll depict when dancing the Garba!

How innovatively a profound thought is woven around an elaborate festivity..like I always say, our sages were cool, hip and with it, really. In fact I think I should include this aspect in my post..not very many know the real meaning.

About the noise levels..incidentally in the vicinity of my residence, there is absolutely No blaring of loudspeakers. This is a welcome chnge from the previous years. I wonder why the residents of Lokhandwala are not taking the matter up with the relevant authorities..it sure can be a nuisance. With the Supreme court verdict on diwali crackers and bombs, one can hope for a civilised Diwali as well.

Broadly speaking however, any tradition which serves as an excuse to re-introduced our cultural heritage to the gen next should be welcomed. Like the sad end of havans and veda readings, relegated to occasions, if all else dies a slow death, it would be tragic.

Stay confused..doorway to wisdom:)

Comment by kaveetaakaul — September 27, 2006 @ 12:47 pm | Reply
@nandini..

sometimes the decibelz can be nasty huh?

durga pujO has always had the loud overtones- the drumz, the beatz.. the glaring musik all over the locality n then people lining up for ‘pandal hopping’!! again till wee hourz ud have classical n hollywoodish musik addin to the din n excitement of the populace 🙂 i mean this is wat durga pujo is associated with- in calcutta.. for the ‘bangalis’ as for the capitol of the country, ahem! i guess its a lot like sacharine coated..
i do agree democratically u have the rite to ur sound of silence but then vibrance can open many ventilatorz inside:)

happy pujo n hope the puzzles inside u are dis-entangled!

Comment by saptarshi — September 28, 2006 @ 3:29 pm | Reply
abc.com dancing with the stars

abc.com dancing with the stars

Trackback by abc.com dancing with the stars — May 18, 2007 @ 5:40 am | Reply
Navratri, the festival of nine days where Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped. Navratri means Durga Puja, Dandiya Raas, Fasts and Sweets.

Time for you to get into the festive spirit and enjoy.

Wishing you a happy Navratri…

Comment by kitawat — October 6, 2007 @ 7:07 pm | Reply