Navratri : Nine Holy Nights

Penned this post two years ago, reposting with some visuals...

Mysore, my normally calm city, would be bursting at its seams during Dushera or Dasara (October-November) with people thronging to indulge in the festivities. “Naada Habba” we call it. Meaning state festival.

Delhi observes fasting to please Ma Durga. Delhiites are also busy witnessing Ramlila (The story of Ram)and the Grand Finale on the Ninth night – Sri Ram burning down with his arrows the gigantic puppet of Raavan. Good triumphing over evil. (Since I have not witnessed Ramlila in Delhi, hope this play we saw in Bali would interest you...)

Ramayana (Kakawin) came to Indonesia around the 9th century!

 

     Singapore was not to be left behind in the festivities. It was Doll festival for the South Indians, which meant visiting a house every other day, for prayers, to see the display of traditional dolls and some yummy snacks. The dolls are handed over from generation to generation and are worshipped every day with offerings. We sang devotional songs. Should mention here that almost every traditional South-Indian family has its daughters trained in Carnatic music. 

Ram and devoted brother

             The eighth (Ashtami) and ninth day (Navmi) again were days of visiting Indian households, for young angels are believed to be avtars of the Devi and offered ‘prashaad’ and little gifts. They call it ‘Kanjak’. So, Saturday morning was spent in planning which house our little ‘Devi’ visits in which order of invitation, followed by lunch, by a dear friend who manages to have a very cosy and pleasant gathering each time she invites me!

Evening was spent with family and friends at a ‘Durga Pandal’. The idea was to witness the puja followed by cultural events. But the puja was delayed, so we offered our prayers and rushed to the near-by Kailash-Parbat famous for its Indian cuisine, before they shut shop.

            Having spent four years in vibrant Gujarat, how can I not mention their Garba/ Dandiya dance during Navratri? Every year while in Delhi, I longed to attend a Dandiya event but never got an enthusiastic soul to join me, not even my husband.  So again in Singapore, after having given up trying to convince my friends to join me for a Dandiya event, I finally got a call from a kind acquaintance, who accomplished the daunting task of gathering a good three families for the event! Oh how we enjoyed the gentle swaying to divine music in front of the ‘Devi Ma’, how the traditional outfits glittered, how the music flowed mellifluously - traditional Garba music which also adapted some movie songs very efficiently. The gentle clicks of the dandiya sticks while the crowd danced in two concentric circles had a feeling of bonhomie because you dance with everyone in the circle, turn by turn. I sweated myself out and forced the husband to dance along, reminiscing our Baroda (Gujarat) times where we did our first Garba dance with our friends. Later we gobbled luscious rasgullas and pav-bhaji. And finally a reluctant me was pulled out by my family, even as my favourite “Dholi thaaro” was playing, and pushed into the cab home.

            People argued on whether this past Sunday was Navmi or Dushera. We were not bothered. I did the same prayer daily and lit the same lamp. Except that today I got kheer made for the offerings in the evening prayers. Plus a festive treat of chana and puris for which the kids are waiting…

I get ready to worship the Goddess with friends

The week ended with another rapturous event – An evening of Magic show, Ventriloquism and Shadow puppetry organized by the Kannada Society. Watched with family and friends, more specifically, my childhood friend, followed by Mysorean delicacies – bisi-bele-bhaath (a spicy concoction of lentil, veggies and rice), potato bonda, Curd rice, balushahi (sweet dish) and boondi. Slurp!