Navarathri & Dusshera: Celebrations and Significance in our lives - by Nomitha Baanu T - CollectLo

Navarathri & Dusshera: Celebrations and Significance in our lives

Nomitha Baanu T - CollectLo

Nomitha Baanu T

Content Writer

4 min read . Oct 16

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Introduction : 

Dusshera is one of the longest and largest festivals in India.  Although the celebrations vary from state to state, the festival's core is always the same. For nine nights, Navaratri is devoted to the worship of nine manifestations of heavenly feminine energy. Vijayadasami, the tenth day, symbolizes the victory of good over evil. The very purpose of this festival is to respectfully embrace the feminine energy.  There are many social evils which modern women had to confront on a daily basis. Bright colors, melodies, and the delight of dancing generate a sense of community that unites people and promotes harmony.

Dance celebrations: 

In Gujarat and Maharastra, Garba and Dandiya dances are performed during Navaratri. Dandiya uses adorned sticks that resemble Goddess Durga's swords, signifying her battle against evil powers, while Garba uses elegant hand and foot movements. In order to represent the world's constant changing, these dances are performed in a circle with a deity in the center. The divine power at the center coordinates everything around it.  Additionally, to symbolize the cosmic energy of the universe and the eternal circle of life.  As the Adishakti created everything, the world is in her womb, which is how the garba dance received its name. Similarly, this dance is performed to honor and respect the role of mothers, who are responsible for creation on a global scale. 

Navarathri Golu : 

In south India,  dolls and statues of  Gods, peoples and animals are displayed in golu during the Navaratri festival. The word "golu" comes from the Tamil word "kolu," which means "assembly" or "arrangement." With the divine at the top and people and animals below, the placement of dolls on several tiers represents the universe's hierarchical order. Storytelling, community, creativity, education, and the celebration of heritage are all intricately linked to the cultural justifications for preserving Golu. It encourages the virtues of harmony, variety, and interdependence.  

Ayudha pooja and Saraswathi pooja :

In south India, all of the tools used in both personal and professional life are retained and worshipped alongside God as a sign of respect and gratitude for everything that is utilized to support one's livelihood. With the blessing of Goddess Saraswathi, toddlers are admitted to school on the day of Vijayadasami to begin their educational journey. In order to get deeper knowledge in studies, students keep their books and revere the goddess Saraswathi. We should be thankful for everything that helps us survive, including the food we eat, the clothing we wear, and the air we breathe.

Women empowerment :

In the home and at work, women must be treated with respect and dignity. It all begins at home. Children view their parents as their primary role models in the household. They watch how a woman is handled in the family and treat the next generation in the same way.  During Navratri, we honor and adore the divine feminine spirit, yet it is still unclear if we truly comprehend the sacrifice made by women in our communities and families. Both homemakers and working women deserves love and support of the family members.

 Women at home :

Effective home management is a terrific talent. Despite being mostly taken for granted, such outstanding work has to be acknowledged and valued. For example, fathers are able to be empathetic with their daughters' performance of certain domestic duties. However, the same effort put out by their wives or daughters-in-law is disregarded. If men begin to treat the woman in their lives as if she were their own daughter, and vice versa, relationships will flourish. Unconditional, pure love and devotion without any expectations is therefore crucial. Friends have better relationships than family because of this. There won't be any disappointments when there are no expectations.

Women at work :

In today's world, women are well educated  and their literacy rate improved so much but still abuses against her had not stopped. It was said that women would not have any issues if they were financially independent. However, she continues to face issues both within and outside of her home. She is required to take care of all domestic duties and provide for the family's necessities, even if they leave for work. For the majority of women, office job appears to be an additional load, but it also somewhat boosts their confidence and independence. Women have to be treated with the same dignity and respect as men at work. A secure and comfortable workplace is essential for women to reach their full potential.

Human connections :

These days, the primary causes of the rise in mental health problems are loneliness and a sedentary lifestyle. Social media has a significant negative impact on human interactions. An increase in gadget use causes phone addiction and eye issues. These celebrations provide people a chance to express their happiness to other people. It encourages solidarity and interdependence. 

Conclusion:

Dusshera and Navarathri are more than just festivals; they are celebrations of strength, life, and the victory of good over evil. They inspire people to exhibit the qualities of bravery, commitment, and tenacity and have great cultural and spiritual value. As we take part in these celebrations, we are reminded of the principles that unite our society and the significance of pursuing morality in our individual lives. By participating in these festivities, we pay tribute to our history while promoting optimism and unity for the future.