Devi, representing the feminine power is delicate, yet powerful enough to fight and destroy evil. Celebrating the power and welcoming various forms of Devi, the goddess was welcomed in grand processions throughout the city on Sunday starting the nine-day festival of Navratri.
Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navratri. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navratri that is the most observed in the honour of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashwini, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.
The feminine power is being represented in various colours, forms, style and outlooks during the Navratri festival. Presenting her beauty, power, strength and forms, goddess idols in the city will be a major attraction along with different styles of Garba.
Hosting the goddess is not easy as it requires pre-requisites of ‘akhand deep’, naivedya, rituals, strict fast and Vedic systems on a daily basis for nine-days. Hence, there are large groups of people accumulate and host the goddess. Garba is a common practise at these gatherings, since it is an important ritual as well.
Welcoming different forms of goddess in their heart, the city witnessed colourful processions and bhajans.
Nine forms representing nine classes
Names of the nine Durgas worshipped during the nine-day fest are: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. These nine forms are beautiful, divine, radiant, and benevolent but yet violent forms of Goddess Durga.
Representing the same, the idols are made using clay from different households including the first clay that comes from brothel.
A commonly accepted theory corroborated by our vedas reasoning the rule in construction of the idol talks about equal treatment for women.
Nine classes of women known as Navkanyas are to be worshipped, revered during Durga Puja. This includes nati (dancer/actress), vaishya (prostitute), rajaki (laundry girl), brahmani (Brahmin girl), shudra (labourers), gopala (milkmaid). These are known as Navakańyās. The Puja is incomplete if these women are not honoured during the celebrations.
Idols covered to protect from rain
Grande idols of goddess were covered with raincoats and plastics to protect them from rains. As the rains lashed the city in evening, many processions paused avoiding the rains. One of the coordinators of processions Himanshu Khatekar said, “We had covered the idol, but it was sudden heavy pouring and we had to rush to shelter nearby to avoid breaking (khandit) of the idol.”
The processions took more than an hour than normal to reach their destination, because of rains and waterlogged streets.
Grand idols
Grand idols depicting various forms of goddess were brought on camels, tractors, bullock carts, tempo and vans. Durga, Kali, Chamunda, Parvati, Vaishnodevi and others were brought in various colours and sizes. The idols varied from 1 foot to 15 feet in height.
Girls playing garba, wearing colourful turbans and singing hymns were the highlight of processions. Celebrations in Shalimar township, Sampat farms, Shiv Sakti nagar and other parts of the city saw mass participation.
Re-discover strength, respect women says Indore
Talking about the importance of festival, homemaker Khushi Kapoor said, “Goddess reminds us of the power of being a female, which most of us need to re-discover today.” She feels that most women are undermined by rituals and societal rules.
“In various discussions, we have learned that almost every woman has been harassed at some point in her life, we need transformation in the society now!” student Simran Sareen said. She quoted the importance of learning from the worship and respecting women.
“I have been fasting for the festival since childhood and I feel it helps me become stronger,” businessman Jitendra Saluja said. He feels that strength comes from within. “We feel weak when we are addicted, strong if we can control our actions and that is the true strength, which we can get from Navratri,” he added.
Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navratri. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navratri that is the most observed in the honour of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashwini, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.
The feminine power is being represented in various colours, forms, style and outlooks during the Navratri festival. Presenting her beauty, power, strength and forms, goddess idols in the city will be a major attraction along with different styles of Garba.
Hosting the goddess is not easy as it requires pre-requisites of ‘akhand deep’, naivedya, rituals, strict fast and Vedic systems on a daily basis for nine-days. Hence, there are large groups of people accumulate and host the goddess. Garba is a common practise at these gatherings, since it is an important ritual as well.
Welcoming different forms of goddess in their heart, the city witnessed colourful processions and bhajans.
Nine forms representing nine classes
Names of the nine Durgas worshipped during the nine-day fest are: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. These nine forms are beautiful, divine, radiant, and benevolent but yet violent forms of Goddess Durga.
Representing the same, the idols are made using clay from different households including the first clay that comes from brothel.
A commonly accepted theory corroborated by our vedas reasoning the rule in construction of the idol talks about equal treatment for women.
Nine classes of women known as Navkanyas are to be worshipped, revered during Durga Puja. This includes nati (dancer/actress), vaishya (prostitute), rajaki (laundry girl), brahmani (Brahmin girl), shudra (labourers), gopala (milkmaid). These are known as Navakańyās. The Puja is incomplete if these women are not honoured during the celebrations.
Idols covered to protect from rain
Grande idols of goddess were covered with raincoats and plastics to protect them from rains. As the rains lashed the city in evening, many processions paused avoiding the rains. One of the coordinators of processions Himanshu Khatekar said, “We had covered the idol, but it was sudden heavy pouring and we had to rush to shelter nearby to avoid breaking (khandit) of the idol.”
The processions took more than an hour than normal to reach their destination, because of rains and waterlogged streets.
Grand idols
Grand idols depicting various forms of goddess were brought on camels, tractors, bullock carts, tempo and vans. Durga, Kali, Chamunda, Parvati, Vaishnodevi and others were brought in various colours and sizes. The idols varied from 1 foot to 15 feet in height.
Girls playing garba, wearing colourful turbans and singing hymns were the highlight of processions. Celebrations in Shalimar township, Sampat farms, Shiv Sakti nagar and other parts of the city saw mass participation.
Re-discover strength, respect women says Indore
Talking about the importance of festival, homemaker Khushi Kapoor said, “Goddess reminds us of the power of being a female, which most of us need to re-discover today.” She feels that most women are undermined by rituals and societal rules.
“In various discussions, we have learned that almost every woman has been harassed at some point in her life, we need transformation in the society now!” student Simran Sareen said. She quoted the importance of learning from the worship and respecting women.
“I have been fasting for the festival since childhood and I feel it helps me become stronger,” businessman Jitendra Saluja said. He feels that strength comes from within. “We feel weak when we are addicted, strong if we can control our actions and that is the true strength, which we can get from Navratri,” he added.