Navrathri

Navrathri is a festival of the Shakthi or the Devis. The devotees worship all the forms of devis during a period of nine days and nights. In Sanskrit "Nava" means nine and "rathri" means night, hence the name navrathri for the festival. It is also referred as Dussera is India.

Of the nine days, Goddess Durga, the one who represents virtues of courage and bravery is worshiped on the first three days. The next three days are for the Goddess of wealth - goddess Lakshmi. The last three days are meant to be for worshiping Goddess Saraswathi - the devi the devotees pray to for a good education in both the academics as well as the arts.

The festival is celebrated in different parts of the world with lot of enthusiasm. Lot of dance events, mainly the Garba dance is performed by women/girls and boys/men for Navrathri. People of Southern origin (India) put up special displays of dolls which they had collected over the years arranging in different number of steps, and this is called the Golu. Friends and family get-together during evenings for singing spiritual hyms and bhajans, and partake in offerings of sweets and savouries which have been offered to the devi during puja.

Here are a few pictures of a Golu display for you to enjoy! You are welcome to add to this collection to share them with the ikolam members and visitors. May the Devi fill your life with lots of happiness!