happy navratri to igtians

Discussion in 'The ChitChat Lounge' started by .:SpY_GaMe:., Oct 4, 2005.

  1. .:SpY_GaMe:.

    .:SpY_GaMe:. New Member

    wish u all a pious navratri may this nine day of prayers n devotion be successful for each of us




    can some post a prayerfor navratri ?that would make a nice collection ....
     

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  2. .:SpY_GaMe:.

    .:SpY_GaMe:. New Member

  3. shak

    shak Harrr!

    happy happpy navratri guys!!
     
  4. anshphenomenon

    anshphenomenon Rape me :boff:

    happy navratri guys!!!
    :beer:
     
  5. vishwa_81us

    vishwa_81us Banned

    Happy Navaratri n durga puja to all...



    :cool:
     
  6. .:SpY_GaMe:.

    .:SpY_GaMe:. New Member

    yep nine days of fasting n prayers ..................


    almost 8 days left for me can say so lolz ;)
     
  7. vini

    vini Repeat Offender

    wishing everyone the same!
     
  8. rizaaj

    rizaaj Forum Leader

    happy navratri to all

    can anyone explain the meaning of the word NAVRATRI? just curious
     
  9. .:SpY_GaMe:.

    .:SpY_GaMe:. New Member

    nav means nine ratri means rat ie nine nights

    hmmmmmmm will post a more dharmic interpretation later ;)
     
  10. rizaaj

    rizaaj Forum Leader

    ahaaaaaan.. get the point somewhat.. would like to know more about it though
     
  11. .:SpY_GaMe:.

    .:SpY_GaMe:. New Member

    Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', is an ancient and colourful festival. It honors the one divine 'Shakti' or Force, which supports the entire universe, and is personified as the Mother Goddess. She protects her worshippers, destroys evil and grants boons to her children. The mother Goddess has seven well-known forms, depending upon the special powers she manifests. Throughout Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with joy and religious fevour.
    The Festivity
    This festival is essentially religious in nature. It is celebrated with true devotion in the various temples dedicated to the Mother, or 'Mataji', as she is familiarly called. In some homes, images of the Mother are worshipped in accordance with accepted practice. This is also true of the temples which usually have a constant stream of visitors from morning to night, another interesting feature of Navratri is the Garba, a circular dance performed by women around an earthen ware pot called a "Garbo", filled with water. Navratra
    A betel nit and a silver coin are placed within the pot, called a "Kumbh", on top of which a coconut has also been placed. As the dancers whirl around the pot, a singer and a drummer provide the musical accompaniment. The participants clap in a steady rhythm.
    Nowadays, loudspeakers are used to enhance the sound, which grows to a crescendo. The dance usually starts slowly. It gets faster and faster as the music too gets more rapid, until the dance abruptly comes to a halt. There is a pause for a while and the dance commences once again, the singer leading with a new song.
    Another dance, which is also a feature of Navaratri, is the "Dandia-Ras" or 'stick' dance, in which men and women join the dance circle, holding small polished sticks or Dandias. As they whirl to the intoxicating rhythm of the dance, men and women strike the Dandias together, adding to the joyous atmosphere.
    So popular are the Garba and the Dandia-Ras that competitions are held to assess the quality of the dancing. Prizes are given to those judged to be the best. The costume worn for the dances are traditional and alive with colour. The dances usually commence late in the night and continue until early morning, testifying to their great popularity.
    NAVRATRI AT AHMEDABAD
    While the basic celebrations are alive and joyous, as they are elsewhere, at Ahmedabad the Garba parties are enormous. In large public squares group of musicians sing the traditional Garba songs. A Bhajan singer with a Harmonium sings into a microphone. In crowded localities, where open space is not available, the Garba ceases to be a circular dance but instead becomes a long line of people, comprising both men and women moving in accordance with the turns and bends of the street. The scene is truly fantastic.
    NAVRATRI IN BARODA
    Baroda is a well-known centre of music and culture, and many streets have their own Garba Mandals, or Garba groups. A Bhavai performance is held at Baroda's Ambaji temple, during Navratri. Many other places within Gujarat have their own local customs ad celebrate Navratri in their own special way
     
  12. .:SpY_GaMe:.

    .:SpY_GaMe:. New Member

    Happy Dassera

    "Vijayadashmi"

    "NAVRATRI"

    Celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin - which falls in September /October, Dassera is also known "Vijayadashmi". Dassera marks the end of Navratri, the festival of nine nights. Dassera day is considered very auspicious.

    Navratri : "Nav" means nine and "ratri" means nights, therefore the word "Navratri".

    Dassera : means the Tenth Day, being the 10th day of the bright half of Ashwin. This day is also known as Vijayadashmi, or Victory Tenth.

    There are two stories linked with this festival.

    Victory of Rama over Ravana

    As per the Ramayana, Ram did "chandi-puja" to invoke the blessings of Durga to kill Ravana. Ravana the 10 headed demon had abducted Lord Rama's wife to his capital city of Lanka. Lord Ram with the help of his brother Laxman and Hanuman, rescued Sita from Lanka. Dassera marks the triumph of Lord Ram's victory. After vanquishing him, Ram with Seeta and Laxman returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya on Dassera day.

    Victory of Durga over Mahisura

    Another story tells this day as a celebration of the victory of Durga over the demon Mahishasura. This is how she came about. The gods in heaven decided to create an all-powerful being to kill the demon king Mahishasur who was ready to attack them. With a stream of lightning from the mouths of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh a beautiful, magnificent woman with ten hands was created. Then all the gods furnished her with their special weapons. She then destroyed King Mahishasur. The image of Durga, the Eternal Mother destroying the demon, Mahishasur on Chamundi Hills near Mysore is symbolic of the final confrontation of the spiritual urge of man with his baser passions.

    Ram Leela

    In all parts of India "Ram Leela" is performed which are the stories from the Ramayana. These stories are about Hanuman and his burning tail, Ravana's abduction of Sita, Ram's victory over Ravana and the rescue of Sita by Hanuman and the monkeys.

    The Burning of the effigy of Ravana

    On Dassera, the tenth day the celebration of good over evil is marked by burning the effigy of Ravana. The statue of the 10 headed demon Ravana is made of wood, hay etc with fireworks inside. The celebrations begin around sunset, families and friends gather in the evening and then the statue is set on fire. People shoot arrows on the effigy. The effigy burns up with a huge display of fireworks, which is an exciting event for kids and adults alike.

    Durga

    Goddess Durga is also commonly known as Kali, Bhavani, Amba and Chandika. Goddess Durga represents two forms of female energy - one mild and protective and the other fierce and destructive. She stands independent, and is worshipped in her own right. This reinforces the interpretation of rites performed during Navaratri as those originating in a festival eulogizing fertility in women.

    How it is celebrated ?

    HOLIDAY SPIRIT

    Dassera is a time of holiday feasting and family visits.

    CUSTOMS

    Starting New Ventures : It is a time-honored belief that a new venture started on this day, is bound to be successful. Also on this day tools, writing instruments, machines, household articles, children's school books are placed before the idol of Durga and worshipped.

    Traditional Exchange of "Aptya Chi Pane" : Families have a ritual of exchanging "Shami leaves" or "aptya chi pane". These are heart shaped leaves and are bought in a dried form from the local floral markets. The leaves are exchanged among relatives & friends as gold by saying "Sone Gya Sonyasarakhe Raha" which means take gold and be like gold.

    Puja: A puja thaali containing rice, mithai, a coconut and fruits is decorated and placed before the idol. The prasad is then distributed to famuily members.

    Puja of married women: Traditionally during navratri in many households married (fertile) women are invited for puja. They are doted upon and are given fruits and small gifts followed by a delicious meal. Its a way to celebrate fertility in women.


    REGIONAL CELEBRATIONS

    This festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India.

    FARMING COMMUNITIES : The farming communities also worship Durga who invoke her blessings because this festival coincides with the period of rest and leisure after their strenuous work in the fields. The farmers with her blessings wait with tremendous hopes for a bountiful harvest.

    BENGAL : In eastern India the Durga Pooja festival which is part of Navaratri, is the principal festival and is celebrated with gaiety and devotion through public ceremonies (Sarvajanik of Sarbojanin Durga Puja). For these ceremonies Pundals (temporary public booths) are erected. The ceremonies are conducted amidst grand prayers and mass feeding.,

    SOUTHERN INDIA : In southern India celebrations constitute a display of images of various gods and toys at home for nine days. In northern India, on the tenth day (Dassera) giant effigies of Ravana. Kumbhakarna and Meghnad (Lord Rama's enemies), are publicly burnt.

    GUJARAT: The Garba Dance dance in western India is performed around a pot containing a lamp. The word "Garba" by which the pot as well as the dance is known is etymologically close to the word Garba meaning womb. In this context the lamp in the pot, symbolically represent life within a womb. Another prevalent practice is of sowing pulses, cereals and other seeds on the first day of this festival in a pot, which is watered for nine days at the end of which the seeds sprout. This pot is worshipped throughout the nine days. This custom is also indicative of fertility worship. The dances start after 10 p.m. and many a times they continue up to the small hours of the morning.

    MUMBAI

    Dandia Raas parties are organized in great gala in many of the clubs, homes, hotels and organizations. It is more a social event and meant purely for celebrating the fun part of the festival of Navratri. Many organizations invite famous "Bollywood" stars and make the vent ...eventful. There are special bands that play music especially for this event.

    USA : Organizing "garba" or "dandia" dances here in the US hindu temples and/or homes is becoming very popular by the many Indo-American Cultural Societies. It is a great way to bring culture and parties together.

    Like in India, it's the most looked forward to event for the young as they can dance all night long and show off their Indian outfits and accessories. Dressed in exquisitely embroidered, set in mirrors 'Choli', 'Ghagra' and 'Bandhani' dupattas the women adorn themselves with beautiful jewelery including anklets. Men dress in formal as well as informal Chudidar Kurta. Garba is a dance danced in a circle, by clapping your hands on a very catchy rhythmic tune.

    Here is a great website to listen to Garba Music

    www.gujaratigarba.com

    "Dandias" is the same dance with 2 sticks held in the hand.
     
  13. Garima

    Garima Born to rule <img src="images/smilies/rule.gif" bo

    Happy Navratre to all of u....
     
  14. zoomingrocket

    zoomingrocket TeChNiCaL AdMiNiStRaToR

    Happy Navratri to all...

    And Navratri@Baroda Rocks!..
    MS Arts Faculty, United Way.. Ma Aarki.. all those groups rocks!

    REgards,
    Zooom..!!
     
  15. lord_neo

    lord_neo Guest

    Happy Navratri, have fun you Dandiya freaks!
     

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