Each year Navaratri commences on the
first day (pratipada) of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvin. The
Navaratri festival or 'nine day festival' becomes a 'ten day festival' with the
addition of the last day, Vijaya-dasami (day of victory) as its culmination.
Today, Saturday September 30, 2017 marked that tenth day of Victory.
A legend explaining the origin of
Navaratri is that Adi Shankaracharya gave upadesa at two primary locations
during the installation of a Sri Chakra at Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) and at
Koolurmugambika (Karnataka). At the time of the installations he directed women
folk to worship the Goddess and seek her blessings for wealth, prosperity and
long life for their husbands and overall happiness in the family.
This Festival is celebrated in a wide
variety of ways, depending on region, local history and family influences. Some
see it as a way to commune with one’s own feminine divinity. A widespread
practice honours the Goddess in every woman by inviting young girls to the
family's home, feeding them and offering new clothes. During the Festival,
women also perform tapas and selfless acts.
Families in Tamil Nadu traditionally
prepare in their homes a kolu, an exhibition of small dolls, figurines and
small artifacts on a stepped, decorated shelf. At least one murti of Shakti
must be present, as well as wooden figurines of a boy and a girl together to
invoke auspicious marriages. To view photographs of the 2017 Navaratri
Kolu Display at Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram at Tiruvannamalai go to this link
here. To view photographs of the 2017 Kolu Display in a private house go to
this link here.
In South India the Goddess is worshipped
in three forms. During the first three nights, Durga is revered, then Lakshmi
on the fourth, fifth and sixth nights, and finally Saraswati until the ninth
night. Durga ("invincible" in Sanskrit) is the epitome of strength,
courage and ferocity. Her devotees approach Her, sometimes with difficult
penances, for those qualities and for the protection she Bestows.
A more gentle worship is observed for
Lakshmi also called Annapurna "Giver of food," Lakshmi is the Goddess
of abundance, wealth and comfort. She is the ever-giving mother, worshipped for
well being and prosperity. A traditional way of invoking Her is chanting the
Sri Suktam. In Her honour, food is prepared and offered to neighbours and all
who visit, thus strengthening community ties. On the full moon night following
Navaratri, it is believed Lakshmi Herself visits each home and replenishes
family wealth.
The last three days of Navaratri, exalt
Saraswati, the form of Shakti personifying wisdom, arts and beauty. Her name
literally means "flowing one", a reference to thoughts, words, music
and the Saraswati River. Mystically Saraswati is believed to be the keeper of
the powerful Gayatri Mantra, which is chanted during the festival to invoke Her
supreme blessings. Devotees meditate for days on this mantra alone, as it is
considered the door to divine wisdom.
Tiruvannamalai has many beautiful
Temples dedicated to the Divine Mother. The below photographs are of alangarams
on the 7th, 8th and 9th days of the Shakti Goddess during this 2017 Navaratri
Festival.
Navaratri Alangarams—Day Seven
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| Adi Kamakshi Temple: Goddess handing cup of milk (Divine Wisdom) to Nayanar Thirujnana Sambandar |
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| Angalamman Temple near Market: Goddess with Lingam |
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| Close up of Goddess at Angalamman Temple: Notice mirror positioned behind Goddess to show devotees Her intricate hairdress |
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| Angalamman Temple near Government Veterinary Hospital |
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| Durgamman Temple near Bus Stand |
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| Gangaiamman Temple, Tiruvannamalai: Goddess with Lingam |
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| Goddess Kali Temple, Chengham Road |
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| Kamakshi Temple, Thirumanjana Street |
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| Ramana Ashram |
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| Unnamulai Temple, Car Street |
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| Vasavi Temple, Tiruvannamalai |
Navaratri Alangarams—Day Eight
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| Adi Kamakshi Temple: Goddess handing sword to King Shivaji |
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| Close up of Goddess handing sword to King Shivaji |
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| Angalamman Temple near Market |
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| Angalamman Temple near Government Veterinary Hospital |
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| Durgamman Temple near Bus Stand |
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| Gangaiamman Temple, Tiruvannamalai |
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| Kali Temple, Chengham Road |
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| Kamakshi Temple, Thirumanjana Street |
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| Ramana Ashram |
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| Seshadri Ashram |
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| Soudheshwarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai |
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| Unnamulai Temple, Car Street | |
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| Vasavi Temple, Tiruvannamalai |
Navaratri Alangarams—Day Nine
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| Adikamakshi Temple near Bus Stand |
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| Close up of Goddess: Adikamakshi Temple near Bus Stand |
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| Angalamman Temple: Goddess with Lingam |
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| Angalamman Temple near Market: Goddess with Balaji |
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| Durgamman Temple near Bus Stand |
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| Gangaiamman Temple, Tiruvannamalai |
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| Kali Temple, Chengham Road |
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| Kamakshi Temple Thirumanjana Street |
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| Ramana Ashram |
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| Unnamulai Temple Car Street |
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| Vasavi Temple, Tiruvannamalai |
[With thanks to Professor Hari Prasad for Photographs]
