Navarathri (Celebrating The Divine Mother)
Navarathri 2022 (26 Sept. – 5 Oct.) Is seeing a resurgence of Sanatana Dharma festivities in Malaysia after the Covid 19 lockdowns of the past three years.
Temples and households have set up their ‘Golu Bommai displays of 3, 5, 7, 9 steps.
The Bommai (dolls) range from deities of the Divinity right down the steps, to common people, animals and the plant kingdom.
Navarathri is the celebration of Mother Goddess Sakthi (energy) in her forms as Parvati (representing valour), Laxmi (wealth) and Saraswathi (knowledge). These three Sakthi forms are each venerated separately for three days.
Sakthi is the female aspect of God as compared to Purusha (enjoyer), the male aspect in the Sanatana Dharma system.
Navarathri concludes with the killing of the demon Mahishasura, for which purpose the Divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva and the Devas led by Indradeva, amalgamated their energies, to create Durga the consolidation of Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswathi.
The ninth day is celebrated as Saraswathi Pooja which incorporates Aayudha (tools/weapons) Pooja. On this day (today, Oct. 4, 2022) when educational books, tools of artists and artisans and even weapons used by warriors/soldiers etc are blessed at the altar of Goddess Saraswathi.
The 10th day is celebrated as Vijayadashami also called Dussehra or Dasara. It celebrates the killing of Mahishasura by Durga. The day also coincides with the killing of the demon Ravana by Lord Rama almost a million years ago in Tretha Yuga.
Both these victories are celebrated on this final day of Navarathri, the latter by the burning of a fireworks laced effigy of Ravana, by the shooting of a fire tipped arrow.
Happy Navarathri Festival.
