Festival Season

Here I am, this time with a festive update!!! Isn't it always good when the festivals are all lined up one after the other??

Dusserah (or Navrathri) has started now and into its 4th day today. This is a festival that lasts for 9 nights/10 days. Sounds like a holiday package, does it not :) This is celebrated with great fervour all over India and the customs vary in each part of India.

There are many stories attached to Navrathri. One such story is that the war between Rama and Ravana lasted for these 9 days and the 10th day is when Ravana was beheaded. So in the Northern part of India, a huge effigy of Ravan is created and burnt on the 10th day.

Another story is that of Devi. The 9 days are divided in 3 parts. The first 3 days, the Devi is celebrated as Durga, second 3 days as Lakshmi and the last 3 days as Saraswathi.

This link has the significance explained in detail.

In the South here, we setup a Golu, which is a decoration of dolls. I did not setup a Golu this year due to tight work schedule. But here's a picture I took yeterday at my aunt's place.

Please excuse me for the poor picture quality as I was not prepared to take a picture and shot this on impulse in my handphone.

There's also a belief that the Goddess meditates over a needle during the period of Navrathri and so are not supposed to use the needle. Well, this is a belief and I do try to follow it. So, have you guessed what I am getting at?? LOL!!

Yes, I have absolutely no stitchy update this time. We had taken a nice vacation to what is called God's own Land - Kerala during Vaishnavi's school holidays. We were in time there to attend Mata Amritanandamayi's (my Holy Mother) 57th birthday celebrations. We had a lovely peaceful time.

That is a picture (again taken on my handphone) of Vaishnavi. You can see the ashram in the background. If you strain your eyes just a bit more, you can see the ashram surrounded by the Arabian sea!! Ooh, it was simply lovely. The experience on the whole was awesome.

So guys this is my update for now. See you soon with few more interesting and (hopefully) crafty updates. Till then Ciaoooo.. Take Care.. Au Revoir