Festival Season

Come August and all our favorite festivals begin.. Navrathri is the first biggest festival

Navrathri, literally translated as 9 nights, is a festival of the Goddess. Though Navrathri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India, the basic belief is that the Goddess killed Mahishasura. This also symbolises that we kill the demon within by invoking the Goddess

In TamilNadu, the first 3 days we worship Goddess Durga - who symbolises Shakti (power); next 3 days we invoke Goddess Lakshmi - who symbolises prosperity; the last 3 days we invoke Goddess Saraswathi - who symbolises intellect/wisdom.

Many people setup a Golu, which is setting up dolls of Gods and Goddesses. This was our simple 5 step Golu this year

The Golu signifies human evolution. Fruits, vegetables are kept in the lowest level; then lower forms of insect and animals; then saints and other great human beings like Buddha; then the various incarnations of the divine

The above explain the spiritual significance very briefly. The other aspects of Navrathri include inviting women and girls over and honour them with small gifts and sweets. Slokas are chanted and devotional songs sung in the evenings in front of the Golu.
As the whole festival is about celebrating the Goddess, Navrathri is considered as the true celebration of women in India

Gearing up for Diwali next :)

That's the story tonight dear friends. Till next time.. Take Care.. Be happy.. Craft about.. Au Revoir