Friday, October 19, 2007

Saraswathi Puja and Vijayadasami- end of Navarathri




Happy Friday!


Since I didn't get to do a post on the golu this year, thought that I would do a write up on the end of the navarathri festival, which is marked by the Sarawasthi puja on the ninth day (navami) followed by Vijayadasami on the tenth day. Because, these days fall on a weekend, it becomes a little easier, atleast for working folks like us in the US, to do some sort of a mini puja at home.
A trip down the memory lane- Back in India, Saraswathi puja was an important day to reckon with. It was on this only day that our parents never insisted us to study/read and we were made to keep all our books, musical instruments before the Goddess and puja would be performed. This was done as a form of respect to the Goddess of knowledge Saraswathi who would be the one to bless our educational pursuits. In commercial places, this day would be referred to as Ayudha puja and all the machinery, equipment used in any form of shop, industry etc. would be cleaned and decorated with flowers, sandalwood paste etc. After a brief puja, sweets, rice flakes (arisi pori) with jaggery would be distributed to all. Even vehicles and automobiles would be decorated and worshiphed since they brought livelihood for several folks.

On the tenth day of Vijayadasami, the day that the Goddess has attained victory by slaying the demon, is considered auspicious and siginifies good over evil. This is the day when new ventures, be it in business, education, music, dance etc. is begun, since it signifies prosperity throughout the coming year.

Well, thus comes the end to the navarathi season. Hope everybody has a good weekend.

4 comments:

Subha said...

Wow, u used to keep such a beautiful golu...awesome..I am subha from chennai too...right now in atlanta...am tryin to set up a puja room..but confused as how to do it..any ideas to help me?

mitr_bayarea said...

Subha-
thanks. Well, as for ideas for setting up a puja, start small. Ikea or any other furniture store will have several sleek cabinets/shelves that you may want to look at.

Me too said...

Welcome back!

Nice Golu! Seems to have added quite a few bommai collections since last year!

Vineela said...

hI MITR,
Bommala koluvu looks great.
thanks for visiting my blog.
Vineela