SUSRI'S ARRAY OF DELECTABLE VEG FOOD: NAVRATHRI FESTIVAL RECIPES

NAVRATHRI

The Navaratri commences on the first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin.

"Nava-ratri" literally means "nine nights."

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.

On Sunday devi wear red/maroon. On Monday devi wear white or cream. On Tuesday devi wear orange. On Wednesday devi wear green. On Thursday devi wear yellow. On Friday devi wear silver. On Saturday devi wear blue or peacock.

Children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances.

They also have dress code of 9 colours for 9 days to match Goddess Devi’s dress code.

Kanya Puja is performed in Navrathri . Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.

In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat and Mumbai, Navaratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance

In the state of West Bengal they are celebrated as Durga Puja.

In the Punjab, Navaratri is known as Navratras , where the first seven days are for fasting. On the eighth day or Ashtami, devotees break their fasts by calling young girls home and these girls are treated as the goddess herself. They are called "Kanjak Devis". People ceremonially wash their feet, worship them and then offer food to the "girl-goddesses" giving them the traditional puri, halwa and chana to eat along with bangles and the red chunnis (scarves) to wear with a token amount of money as "shagun". The ninth day is then called Navami which means literally the ninth day of this holy and pious period.

In Maharashtra, on the first day of month of Ashwin, Ghatasthapana is celebrated. An earthen pot is filled with water surrounded by clay in which food grains are sown and are allowed to sprout for nine days. Five stems of jowar are also placed over the pot. This arrangement is called the "Ghat". The ladies worship the pot for nine days by offering rituals and a garland of flowers, leaves, fruits, dry-fruits, etc. with a naivedya, and water is offered in order to get the seeds sprouted

In Tamil Nadu , during Navratri the occasion is also used to invite all the friends , relatives and neighbours over to home to look at the Golu that is arranged. Golu is arranged like steps ( 3 or 5 or 7 or 9 steps ) and idols are placed on each steps. ( Refer 1st picture ). Every year , a new idol is mandatory to purchase. Nowadays theme were set and apart from Golu , they also build small miniature of Park, Hill , Temple etc . Grains are sown and allowed to sprout for nine days.

Rangoli / Kolam will decorate in front of Golu.

Neighbours and friends , who are visiting will be given Thaambolam , which consist Betal leaf , Betal nut, Fruit , Flower, Comb , Mirror , Kumkum , Turmeric , Mehandhi , Blouse Bit , Bangles , Coconut , Money along with Prashad .

All the nine days will be celebrated with 9 types of Sundal, 9 types of Mixed rice variety and 9 types of sweet.

All the nine days are a non-stop entertainment period with songs, dances and Poojai. We can treat Kuthuvilakku ( Lamp ) as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi and do Navrathri poojai for it on all the days.

On the 9th day, Saraswati Puja, special pujas are offered to Goddess Saraswati, the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja and worshipped as a source of knowledge. On the same day, Ayudha puja is celebrated with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles, or kitchen tools.

The 10th day, Vijayadasami – is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity. Kids often start tutoring on this day to have a head start in their education.

In the evening of "Vijayadasami", any one doll from the "Golu" is symbolically put to sleep and the Kalasa is moved a bit towards North to mark the end of that year's Navaratri Golu. Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's Golu and with a hope of a successful one the next year. Then the Golu is dismantled and packed up for the next year.

Lets see the Neivedhyam , that is offered during Navrathri. Usually sweet is compulsorily done during Tuesday and Friday . Daily we can prepare any one type of rice varieties , sweets and Sundal . Mix and match according to your wish. Lets see some of them.

Payasam or Sweets