NAVRATRI - NINE NIGHTS OF GODDESS DURGA

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Let's celebrate: Navaratri in 2008 is on Tuesday, the 30th of September.

'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night', thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals but all of them are related to Goddess Shakti (Hindu Mother Goddess) and her various forms. Though it is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season. The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga (Warrior Goddess) dressed in red and mounted on a lion, next three to Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) dressed in gold and mounted on an owl and finally, last three to Goddess Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) dressed in milky white and mounted on a pure white swan.

Dandiya and Garba Rass are the highlights of the festival in Gujarat while farmer sow seeds and thank the Goddess for her blessings and pray for better yield. In olden times, this festival was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who feed us as her children. Sweetmeats are prepared for the celebrations and children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses for the night performances. With commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than a religious or agrarian festival. In some communities people undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of the festival, only to be opened on the tenth day of Dussehra. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Mother Goddess as they sing devotional songs and indulge in the gaieties of the season. This year celebrate Navratra from September 29th, 2008.

Gujarat's Navaratri! 

The state of Gujarat offers the tourists a golden opportunity to explore the beauty of the culture and tradition of the western part of the Indian subcontinent. Festivals form an integral part of the Gujarati culture. The wide plethora of colorful festivals takes one on a multihued and ennobling odyssey of the glorious state of Gujarat. This state prefers to celebrate all the religious festivals with equal amount of pomp and grandeur. But the quintessential Gujarati spirit and rhythm is to be found in all the festivals. People of all hues, shades and denominations venture outside their homes to immerse themselves completely in the festive spirit.

Religious Festivals Navaratri
The celebration of Navaratri in Gujarat is universally Navaratri - Garba believed to be the celebration of good over evil and the restoration of the general order of things. Navaratri, the `festival of nine nights` is celebrated in the state of Gujarat after Dussehra. This festival forms a special feature of Gujarat and during this auspicious occasion both males and females assemble in the squares and temples of their individual villages and indulges themselves in complete merriment. `Garba` is a special feature if the Navaratri festival in this state. The festival comes to an end on the day of Dussehra when the artisans worship their instruments, the peasants worship their ploughs, students worship their books and warriors worship their weapons.

Navaratri Dates: 

Navaratri in 2008 is on Tuesday, the 30th of September.
Navaratri in 2009 is on Saturday, the 19th of September.
Navaratri in 2010 is on Friday, the 8th of October.

Ma Durga - Nine sources of power. 

Kumari is playful and innocent form of Durga it is innocent and lovable. Trimurti is the giver of good children. Kalyani is giver of good education and reliable friendships. Rohini keeps a girl away from sinful deeds and thoughts. Kalika is the giver of courage. Chandika is the giver of wealth. Sambhavi assures success in enterprises. Durga is the annihilator of impediments. Subhadra is the giver of cherished objects.

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Durga Puja in West Bengal 

The time of Durga Puja in West Bengal calls for huge celebrations through out the state. The Puja start on the sixth day of the Navaratri and ends in the evening of the tenth day. The celebrations start with welcoming Goddess Durga and ends with the immersion of idol of the goddess in a river or a lake. Although it is believed that the idol must be immersed in the sacred River Ganges. The preparation for the festival starts way early. Even the idol making starts a month in advance. The idols for the puja are made from clay the traditional way. During the festive days, almost every locality in the state sets up their own Pandal (tents for the puja). Special care is given to the decoration of pandal as well. The best decorations are done inside the pandal. Cultural programmes by the locales are organized on every day of the Puja. The performances carry on through out the day.

Navaratri Pictures 

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Pooja Thali by Swami Stream

Pooja Thali

A good rendition of Lord Shiva by wildxplorer

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Video of Navaratri 

Garba Vidya Nagar Anand Navaratri - long clip

Another longer clip of garba from Vallabh Vidya Nagar / Anand, Gujarat in India. This is part of the Navaratri festival - festival of 9 nights in celebration of the Goddess.

Runtime: 7:44 | 24654 views | 7 Comments

 

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Goddess Durga in full vigor

"Countless steps, Thousands of colors, Nine Nights of dance, One destination: Gujarat, India"

Navaratri is the festival of Dance and Music

This October you are cordially invited to Navratri, the world's oldest, biggest and most spectacular dance celebration. Imagine nine consecutive nights of unmatched revelry that extend into the wee hours of the morning. Imagine every city, town and village resounding to the beckoning beat of drums and joyful song of millions. Imagine a rainbow of color and mirrored costumes twirling in a dazzling spectacle of spellbinding symmetry.

Enjoy with us 

Gujarat Tourism
World's biggest carnival, world's longest dance festival, world's most colorful event...
Attractions during the festival
Gujarat is a shopper's paradise with a vast array of handmade textiles and crafts available in vast urban emporiums and remote villages alike. If you come with one suitcase plan to leave with two (or three, or four%u2026).

The Kutch and Saurashtra regions produce impossibly colorful embroidered cloth for garments, wall hangings, table clothes, handbags and more. Embedded glass pieces and mirrors give their world-renowned work a jewel-like sparkle.
Gujarati Music: Garba
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Colors of joy

Young girl danceing in full swing

Chania Choli: Young girls dress for the dance

One year girl also loves to wear this dress and dance

Navratri Fastings 

Recipes for you!

The Indian cuisines are famous for their variety and special Navratri cuisine are a part of the multitude of culinary delights. Since in most of the communities, people observe fast during Navratri and eat only one meal a day at sunset, the Navratri meal has special courses and is strictly vegetarian. Even onion and garlic are not allowed due to their foul smell. Specific ingredients and vegetables are used that may vary from region to region.

Spices are restricted to red chillies, turmeric and cumin seeds and only rock salt can be used. However, one can eat milk, curd, fruits and nuts.

Here are some of the recepies that you can use during Navratri. Great care have been taken to ensure that the ingredients being specified here are in consistency with the allowed spices for the fasts. Yet as this also varies from region to region special care should be taken.

ALOO PULAO

Ingredients:

1 cup Samwat rice (also known as Parsai ke chaawal)
2 tbsp. Ghee
1 tsp. cumin seeds
2 cloves
A tiny piece of cinnamon
2 green cardamom
1 large potato (diced in small pieces)
2 tsp. rock salt
1/2 tsp. red chilli powder
3 cup water
Green coriander to garnish

Method:

* Heat ghee in a pan
* Add cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.
* When they give off fragrance, add potato and rice.
* Stir-fry to a light brown color.
* Add rock salt, chilli powder and water and boil.
* Cover the pan and let it simmer on low flame for about 15 minutes.
* Garnish with green coriander.
* Serve hot.

KACHE KELE KE KOFTE

Ingredients:

For Kofta:
6 Raw bananas
10 gm Ginger and green chilli, chopped
2 gm cumin
1 gm asafoetida
5 gm garam masala powder
Salt to taste

For Gravy:

1/4 kg beaten curd
3 gm clove
4 bay leaves
2 gm cumin
1 gm asafoetida
5 gm ginger and green chilli, chopped
25 ml oil
1.5 gm turmeric
5 gm garam masala powder
2 gm red chilli powder
50 ml water

Garnishes:

3 gm rogan
5 gm chopped corriander

Method:

* Boil and peel raw bananas and mash them.
* Add rest of the ingredients and make balls and deep fry.
* Heat oil for the gravy, add cloves, bay leaf, cumin, asafoetida, ginger and green chilli, beaten curd, turmeric, garam masala powder, red chilli powder and water to adjust the consistency.
* Adjust the seasoning.
* Add the koftas, simmer for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with rogan and chopped corriander.

SABUDANA VADA

Ingredients:

1 cup sago,
1/2 cup peanuts roasted (crushed coarsely),
1 potato (boiled, peeled and mashed),
7-8 green chillies (crushed),
Rock salt to taste, and
Oil to deep fry.

Method:

* Wash sago thoroughly and drain excess water.
* Soak it for 2-3 hours.
* Add all ingredients to it except oil.
* Mix well into a paste.
* Keep the oil in a deep frying pan to heat.
* Moist hands and make small flat.
* Slide the rounds in the heated oil on medium flame.
* Fry till they are crisp and light brown in color.
* Drain them well using a sieve type ladle.
* Makes about 10 vadas.
* Serve with peanut chutney.

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The best video available on Youtube

Dandiya Folk Dances of Gujarat

It is very simple dance and is performed by a group who move in circles to measure steps, marking time by sticks called dandia.Dandiya are the featured dances of Navratri evenings in Gujarat. The sticks of the dance represent the sword of Durga. Women normally perform it in a graceful and rhythmic manner in a circle as they rotate around the 'mandvi'.

Runtime: 86
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Navratri Aarti 

Jay adhya shakti....

Jay Adhyashakti ( Amba ma ni Arti )

Arti Of Goddess Durga. Album: Arti Mangal Artists: Bipin Sathiya & Chorus What is an Arti? Arti is a Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. It is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals, or homa. The word may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung during the ritual. Aarti is performed and sung to develop the highest love for God. "Aa" means "towards", and "rati" means "the highest love for God" in Sanskrit. Aarti is generally performed twice or three times daily, and usually at the end of a puja or bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an 'Arati plate' around a person or idol and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deity or person (many versions exist). In doing so, the plate itself is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deity's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee. The arati plate is generally made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. A cotton wick is put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate also contains flowers, incense and akshata. The purpose of performing arati is to ward off evil effects and the malefic influence of the 'evil eye'. Arati is hence performed on people of high social or economic status; small children during various ceremonies; on people who are going on or are coming back from a long journey; on a bride and bridegroom when they enter their house for the first time; at harvest; on anything else of importance. It is also performed on newly acquired property, or before an important task. It is believed that the idol of a deity too is susceptible to the evil eye, and needs regular arati, with the singing of special arati songs. These songs laud the glory of the deities and describe the benefits that one might gain by praying to them. Sometimes they also contain snippets of information on the life of the gods. Arati songs are particular to each deity. The most commonly sung arati is that to Vishnu. In most temples in India, arati is performed at least twice a day, after the ceremonial puja, which is the time when the largest number of devotees congregates. Purification Mantras: Karpuura Gauram Karunaa Vataaram Sansaara Saaram Bhujagendra Haaram Sadaa Vasantam Hridayaa Ravinde Bhavam Bhavaanii Sahitam Namaami I salute to that Ishwara (Shankar), along with Bhavani (Parvati), who is as white as camphor, who is an incarnation of compassion, who is the essence of this world, who wears a serpent around his neck, and who is ever present in the lotus abode of our hearts. Sarva Mangala Maangalye, Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike. Sharanye Tryamba Ke Gauri, Naaraayani Namostute. Adorations to Goddess, who is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who is the bestower of every desire of ones heart. Adorations to You! O Devi, I have taken refuge in you.

Runtime: 568
477605 views
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JAYA AADYA SHAKTI MA AARTI 

Jaya aadya shakti, ma jaya aadya shakti
akhand brhamand dipavya, panave pragatya ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

dwitiya mehsarup shivshakti janu, ma shivshakti janu
brahma ganapti gaye, brahma ganapti gaye
hardayi har ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

trutiya tran sarup tribhuvan ma betha, ma tribhuvan ma betha
daya thaki karveli, daya thaki karveli
utarvenima
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

chouthe chatura malaxmi ma, sachrachal vyapya
char bhuja cho disha, char bhuja cho disha
pragtya dakshin ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

panchame panchrushi panchami gunpadma, ma panchami gunpadma
panchtatv tya soshiye, panchtatv tya soshiye
panchetatvo ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

shashthi tu narayani mahishasur maryo, ma mahishasur maryo
narnari na rupe, narnari na rupe
vyapaya saghale ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

saptami sapt patal sandhya savitri, ma sandhya savitri
gau ganga gayatri, gau ganga gayatri
gauri geeta ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

ashthmi ashtha bhujao ayi ananda, ma ayi ananda
sunivar munivar janamya, sunivar munivar janamya
dev daityoma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

navmi navkul nag seve navadurga, ma seve navadurga
navratri na pujan, shivratri na archan
kidha har brahma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

dashmi dash avtaar jay vijyalaxmi, ma jay vijyalaxmi
rame ravan marya, rame ravan marya
ravan maryo ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

ekadashi agiyar tatyanikama, ma tatyanikama
kaldurga kalika, kaldurga kalika
shama ne vama
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

barase kala rup bahuchar amba ma, ma bahuchar amba ma
asur bhairav souie, kal bhairav soiye
tara chhe tuj ma
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

terase tulja rup tu tarunimata, ma tu tarunimata
brahma vishnu sadashiv, brahma vishnu sadashiv
gun tara gata
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

shivbhakti ni aarati je koi gaye, ma je koi gaye
bhane shivannad swami, bhane shivannad swami
sukh sampati pashe,
har kaileshe jashe
ma amba dukh harashe
om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

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