Flavors Of Festivity In India by Indianselections.com

In India, the festival season has begun. It all starts when the annual Shraads – a time when we pray for the departed souls in our family – end. The first of the season is Navaratri – literally meaning nine nights. It is a time India celebrates the victory of good over evil. On the 10th day, the celebrations culminate with grand pomp. Different parts of the country celebrate in different ways for India is a land of colours, a land of individuality, a land revered for its culture and yes, its festivals.

(PRWEB) October 16, 2005 -- In India, the festival season has begun. It all starts when the annual Shraads – a time when we pray for the departed souls in our family – end. The first of the season is Navaratri – literally meaning nine nights. It is a time India celebrates the victory of good over evil. On the 10th day, the celebrations culminate with grand pomp. Different parts of the country celebrate in different ways for India is a land of colours, a land of individuality, a land revered for its culture and yes….its festivals.

Tamil Nadu
Innovative enthusiasm reigns in Tamil Nadu during Navarathri - a ladies festival. The best silks are worn and visits made to friends and relatives homes every single day.

Gollu dolls – brought down on their annual airing from the attic – are passed down from one generation to the next. Naturally, collections grow. Every member of the family gets involved in creative presentations. Some spend hours doing up the house for this grand nine day long festival, creating intricate thematic Gollus that are remembered for years to come.

Karnataka
The first thought that comes to mind when we think of Navarathri in Karnataka is the grand royal procession in Mysore on Vijaya Dashmi day. The king riding on his elaborately decorated elephant and a brightly lit palace. Eagerly awaited classical music and dance performances on the palace premises add to the glamour of the festival, and tradition goes glorious.

Andhra Pradesh
Typically, like most of the South, the dolls come out and get arranged in Andhra Pradesh too. New clothes and jewellery are worn. Instead of the Sundal that is offered to guests in Tamil Nadu, the Telegu ladies make the most delicious sweets – ummmmm. Ladoos, sweet rice and khir are offered to the nine avatars of Durga before being distributed among visiting friends and family.

Kerala
Do the people of Kerala celebrate Navarathri? Do they even have any other festival besides Onam and Vishu? Well, they do. Navarathri is celebrated privately, in the sanctuary of the home, but on Ayudha Puja day, the entire neighbourhood comes together and pays respect to the goddess of learning – Saraswathi. The famous Kerala paayasams are offered to the goddess before being distributed among her devotees.

Punjab and U.P
In the Northern parts of India, Navratri is a huge celebration. The goddess Durga gets worshipped. On Dussera day, a huge effigy of Ravana is filled with fireworks and set on fire. As the gigantic evil monster goes up in flames, good celebrates it victory over evil.

On the ninth day, little girls in odd numbers are invited into homes. Their feet are washed by the male members in the family and the girls are given a meal, and presents.

Gujarat
Oh how the Gujaratis long for these nine days. Wardrobes are planned in advance, and they dance the night away around a kumbh (pot) with a coconut on it, surrounded by mango leaves signifies the mother goddess or Devi. She has nine avatars (incarnations), hence the nine days. Garba and Dandiya competitions, live music and lots more.

Bengal
Goddess Durga is worshipped with pomp, splendour and beauty. No Bengali will miss the Durga Puja as it is called. They have a fair of sorts, with competitions, quizzes and the famous aarati. Women generally dress up – resplendent in their traditional white and red saris, while men tog up in their best ethnic wear.

Dussera, or Vijaya Dashmi, culminates Navratri after which the Northern part of India goes into a gambling frenzy. It is considered auspicious to gamble the night away. Parties, splendid and lavish are held every night at different homes, with guests hoping they will lose, for losing at a temporary den, actually signifies they will win in their business dealings. Any excuse for a little bit of hope, I guess. Money crosses hands, stakes are high, and parties last till dawn, with no one to stop them.

Twenty days later, it is Diwali. It arrives like the grand finale that has been building towards it for nearly a month. The festival weaves its magic every single year. India as a whole celebrates this festival. Only traditions vary from region to region. The spirit remains, intact. Happy, lively and colourful all through.

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By Indian Selections Press Bureau
http://www.indianselections.com
Bringing India to you.

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