9 Varied Ways Of Navratri Celebrations Across India!
As we all know India is a country with people belonging to many cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Indians celebrate many special days like Diwali, Christmas, Ramzan and many other festivals based on many different religions. While most festivals are celebrated to give people hope, there are multiple ways of celebrating the same festival. Navratri is one such festival which is celebrated in multiple but unique ways by the people of each state in India. Celebrated during September and October, Navratri is a festival which is celebrated for around 9 days.
Let’s see how it is celebrated across a few states in India.
Durga Pooja — West Bengal and Eastern India
When you think of Durga Pooja celebrations, states like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam and rest of Eastern India come to your mind. The Durga Puja is a festival of grandeur and victory for the people as it is the celebration of goddess Durga’s win over the demon Mahishasur. This day is celebrated by bringing the idols of goddess Durga on the streets followed by dances, rituals and the dipping of the idols in water bodies which itself is a whole package of a spiritual journey. The streets of Kolkata are known to be crowded with people chanting goddess Durga’s name giving them a sense of hope that all the fight against evil will be won by goodness.
Kanjak — Punjab
In Punjab, people are accustomed to staying awake all night singing and worshipping the goddess. Certain people of Punjab also stay on a fast for the first 7 days. The fast is broken on the Ashtami and Kanjak is celebrated by pleasing the goddess by inviting young girls for a feast in every household. Red coloured scarfs and bangles are given to the young girls who visit houses as a mark of the goddess Shakti within every girl giving her all strength and will power to conquer anything.
Rass Garbha — Gujarat
Navratri in Gujarat is a celebration of colours, dance and music with endless excitement. All the 9 forms of goddess Durga are worshipped on all the 9 days, which is a representation of celebrating all-natural wealth like rain, soil, sun, harvest etc. The festival is highlighted by the Dandiya and Garba performances which are a grand dance performance of men and women of Gujarat thanking the goddess for all the blessings. People from across the globe and country visit the state of Gujarat to watch the splendid dance of Dandiya and Garba. The Lighting of diyas, Fireworks, and distribution of sweets are all a part of the Rass Garbha festival of Gujarat.
Ghatasthapana — Maharashtra
Navratri in Maharashtra is not only a celebration of the goddess Durga but also a festival which gives hope in people’s lives. Navratri is believed to be the celebration of new beginnings and prosperous year ahead. The Ghatasthapana festival is celebrated by filling out soil in earthenware with food grains in it. The pot is regularly watered for 9 days and on the 10th day, little sprouts can be seen emerging from the pots symbolising the prosperous life ahead. Navratri in Maharashtra is generally a great time for new beginnings.
Bathukamma — Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
This particular festival during Navratri celebrates the life-giving goddess — Gauri. Celebrated after the monsoon season in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the festival brings hope to farmers, fishermen for a new beginning in terms of their work which are usually affected by the rains during September and October. The festival of Bathukamma is generally celebrated by collecting and arranging all the seasonal flowers on a pile and people of all age groups dancing and singing around it. The stack of flowers that are kept for days is removed on the day of Durga Ashtami and set afloat on water bodies right before the celebration of Vijayadashami.
Dasara — Karnataka
People of Bengaluru, Mysuru and all the places in Karnataka turn into celebrations mode right around the corner of Dasara. The people of Karnataka worship goddess Chaumdeshwari who is believed to have demolished the demon Mahishasur during Dasara. Vijayadashami is also celebrated in Karnataka by bringing idols of the goddess across the streets. With music, dance and prayers being the main theme of the festival, Karnataka along with the state of Tamil Nadu celebrate Ayutha Pooja (celebration of tools) and Golu (wide displays of small dolls are figures) which is a different perspective of celebrating the same festival.
Vidhyarambam — Kerala
Being a state with the highest literacy rate in India, Kerala celebrates the Navratri in special dedication to goddess Saraswati, who is believed to be the god
dess of knowledge and wisdom. Before the celebrations, houses and tools are cleaned and books and tools used by every family member are kept overnight in the pooja room for blessings by the goddess. On the day of Saraswati Pooja, all the tools and study materials are worshipped as a feeling of gratitude. Vidhyarambam is a festival in Kerala were kids in Kerala who are about the age of 3–4 are taught to learn and write alphabets on rice which embarks a prosperous education journey ahead. Most of the schools reopen this day as it is celebrated as an auspicious day for learning.
Gollu — Tamil Nadu
The people of Tamilnadu usually celebrate the 9 days of Navratri by arranging 5 or more odd-numbered layers of dolls and figures of gods, toys etc which usually narrates a story on its own. Miniature statues of animals, god’s, and toys which are collected over the years are neatly arranged for the view of the guests. Some dolls are believed to be passed down for generations having a special family culture to the festival. Like the states of Kerala and Karnataka, Tamilnadu also celebrates Vidhyarambam and Ayutha Pooja which is a celebration of education and equipment for work. All Tamil houses are usually decorated with an exclusive “kolam” which are decorative drawings made using rice flour. The reason behind rice kolams is to feed the ants which are attracted by the rice flour kolams which also symbolises that every creature must be fed which teaches us to be more compassionate towards others.
Navratri is celebrated in many ways which show amid the diversity in the culture we have in our country. With the main theme of the festival is bringing joy and hope, CredR wishes you a prosperous year ahead! Happy Navratri!
