Desi Kattey....Page-44 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Serving mankind...Page-33 NAVRATRA FESTIVAL Navratri, the word is formed Chandraghanta Goddess Chandraghanta is the third among the using two words 'Nava' and nine forms of Durga. Goddess Chandraghanta is 'Ratri'. Nava means nine and worshipped on the third day of Navratri. The word Chandraghanta means knowledge, bliss, peace Ratri means nights hence and serenity. Goddess Chandraghanta is depicted Navratri literally means nine with a half-circular moon on her forehead. nights. During the festival of Kushmanda Goddess Kushmanda is the fourth among the Navratri, Maa Durga is wor- nine forms of Durga. Goddess Kushmanda is shipped and revered in Her var- worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. The abode of Goddess Kushmanda is the Bhima- ious forms for ten days and nine parvat. Goddess Kushmanda is depicted with nights. Navratri is celebrated eight arms holding weapons and a mala (rosary). Skanda Mata with much gusto in the Hindu Goddess Skanda Mata is the fifth among calendar month of Ashwin the nine forms of Durga. Goddess Skanda is which is around September- worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. God- dess Skanda Mata gets Her name as She is October as per the Gregorian depicted holding Her son Skanda on her lap. calendar. Although Navratri is It is believed that with blessings of Goddess Skanda Mata any individual can become an celebrated multiple times dur- ocean of wisdom and knowledge. ing the year but the Navratri cel- Katyayani Goddess Katyayani is the sixth among the ebrated on the onset of winter in nine forms of Durga. Goddess Katyayani is the month of Ashwin is consid- worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri. Leg- ends go that once there was a sage named ered as most important one and Kata; Sage Kata underwent hard penance and auspicious to perform Navratri pleased Mother Goddess Durga. Goddess Puja. Durga granted the wish of Sage Kata and was born as Goddess Katyayani a daughter to Sage This Navratri is also known as Maha-Navra- Kata. tri or Sharad Navratri. The onset of winter and Goddess Kaalratri Mahanavami. Kanya Puja is performed on gained unlimited power. Drunk with power he Maa Uma ended Her life by jumping into the the nine nights of Navratri are considered as most Goddess Kaalratri is the seventh among the auspicious period to perform devotional sad- Mahanavami in which nine young girls (pre- started terrorizing heaven and earth, terrified agnikund of the Yagna. Thus Maa Uma came to nine forms of Durga. Goddess Kaalratri is wor- hanas, worship Goddess Durga and perform puberty) representing the nine forms of Goddess Gods asked Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva be known as Goddess Sati, Maa Uma took re- shipped on the seventh day of Navratri. God- Navratri Puja. The nine manifestations of God- Durga are worshiped and fed. asked all Gods to combine their powers and cre- birth and again won Lord Shiva as her groom. It dess Kaalratri is the destroyer of darkness, dess Durga are worshipped each day of Navra- During nine days of Navratri Festival God- ate a divine female warrior Goddess Durga. God- is believed that during Navratri, Maa Uma comes enemies and ignorance. Goddess Kaalratri is tri these incarnations are Goddess Shailputri, dess Durga is worshipped for all nine days. It’s dess Durga fought demon Mahishasura for nine down to earth every year with Ganesh, Kartik, depicted with black (or blue) skin with bounti- Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, best to conduct the Puja at a particular time each days and nights and at the end of the ninth night Saraswati and Laxmi and two of her best friends ful hair and 4 hands, Her vehicle is a faithful Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri day, sunrise is considered as the best time. She beheaded the demon. Thus the tenth day of Jaya and Bijaya. donkey. and Siddhidatri. Worshipping the nine Goddess On the first day Sthapana of idol of Goddess Navratri is also celebrated as Vijayadashami. Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain) Goddess Maha Gauri is the primary ritual of any Navratri Puja. Durga and the Kalash with mango leaves and Another legend is that Lord Ram wor- Goddess Shailputri is the first among the nine Goddess Maha Gauri is the eighth among the Rituals of Navratri Festival 2014 coconut is done on the chowki. Also barley seeds shipped Maa Durga in Her nine manifestations forms of Durga. Goddess Shailputri is wor- nine forms of Durga. Goddess Maha Gauri is • First 3 days (1st - 3rd day of Navratri): The are sown in the clay pot and watered. Offer the for nine nights before the war with demon king shipped on the first day of Navratri. The word worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. God- first three days of the nine days are dedicated to prayers to Maa Durga and conduct Aarti. To wor- Ravana. On the tenth day Lord Ram slayed the 'Shail' means mountains and 'Putri' means dess Maha Gauri has the fairest complexion Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power, on the ship Goddess Durga one may recite the Durga demon king Ravana. Thus the nine nights are daughter, thus the name as Goddess Shailputri among all forms of Durga. Goddess Maha Gau- first day barley seeds are sown in a mud pot and Saptshati each day of the Navratri. On the ninth celebrated as Navratri and the tenth day as is the daughter of the King of the Mountains ri radiates peace and compassion and is often the pot is kept on the Puja Altar. day of Navratri, Kanya Puja is done in which 9 Vijayadashami or Dusshera. Himalaya. depicted riding a bull. • Second 3 days (4th – 6th day of Navratri): girls (who haven’t attained puberty) symbolizing • East India: In East India it is believed that Brahmacharini Goddess Siddhidatri The second three days of the nine days are ded- nine manifestations of Maa Durga are wor- Maa Uma, the daughter of king Daksha, the king Goddess Brahamcharini is the second Goddess Siddhidatri is the ninth among the icated to Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth shipped and fed. of the Himalayas was a devotee of Lord Shiva among the nine forms of Durga. Goddess Bra- nine forms of Durga. Goddess Siddhidatri is wor- and prosperity. Legends of Navratri Festival in India and wanted to marry Him. To win over Lord Shi- hamcharini is worshipped on the second day of shipped on the ninth day of Navratri. Goddess • Third 3 days (7th – 9th day of Navratri): The There are different legends associated with va Maa Uma performed severe penance and Navratri. The word Brahamcharini means the Siddhidatri is the grantor of 26 different wishes next three days of the nine days are dedicated Navratri in different parts of India : managed to please Lord Shiva. But king Daksha one who observes penance (tapa). Goddess and eight Siddhis to Her devotees. Goddess Sid- to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowl- • North India: In North India it is believed that wasn't pleased with his daughter choice and Brahamcharini personifies love, loyalty, wisdom dhidatri is depicted with four arms, ensconced in edge and learning. once there was a mighty demon Mahishasura once when he organized a Yajna he didn't invite and knowledge. Rudraksha beads are Goddess a lotus. Mahanavami : Navratri culminates with who performed penance for Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva. Angered with Her husband's insult Brahamcharini most adored ornaments. Courtesy: www.rudraksha-ratna.com/navratri.htm Post Flood Management Dr Ravinder K Jangral flooding, and mass tetanus vaccination programs are not indi- cated. However, tetanus boosters may be indicated for previ- Jammu and Kashmir faces a massive natural calamity in ously vaccinated people who sustain open wounds or for oth- the form of flood in which many lives have been lost and there er injured people depending on their tetanus immunization his- has been widespread destruction of property. The biggest tory. Hypothermia may also be a problem, particularly in chil- problem now is neither loss of property or of people who have dren, if trapped in floodwaters for lengthy periods. There may left for good but of the threat of epidemic for its 12 lakh peo- also be an increased risk of respiratory tract infections due to ple in Srinagar. As water continues to remain stagnant even exposure (loss of shelter, exposure to flood waters and rain). more than two weeks, with animal carcasses, human and ani- Preventive Measures mal excreta fear an epidemic in the coming days if necessary As the water recedes in valley, there shall be an immediate measures are not taken at the earliest. The water stagnation need to execute the mitigation measures. WHO recommends problem is very serious in flood affected areas and there is a various preventive measures against spread of communicable much anticipated fear of diseases such as gastroenteritis, disease risks arising out of floods. Chlorination of water is must dysentery, typhoid, pneumonia and cholera. The diseases are to be done in order to reduce the risk of outbreaks of water- most likely to affect children and elderly. Floods can potential- borne diseases. It is highly effective against nearly all water- ly increase the transmission of communicable diseases that borne pathogens (except Cryptosporidium parvumoocysts and include Water-borne diseases, such as typhoid fever, cholera, Mycobacteria species). Vaccination against hepatitis A of high- leptospirosis and hepatitis 'A' as well as Vector-borne dis- risk groups, such as persons involved in the management of eases, such as malaria, dengue,haemorrhagic fever and drinking water, waste water or sewage might be considered but plague. Flood water carries away whatever existing on the not recommended for mass immunization.Malaria prevention ground and upstream. Their contact with food items including can be executed through implementation of indoor residual crops in agricultural lands during flooding can make that food spraying, or the retreatment/distribution of ITNs in areas where unsafe to eat and hazardous to human health. Power failures their use is well-known. This will also have an effect on other caused by floods also damage stored food. Refrigerated and mosquito-borne diseases. In case of corpses handling, WHO frozen foods are affected during the outage periods, and thus recommendation emphasizes that burial is preferable to cre- must be carefully monitored and examined prior to consump- mation in mass causalities and where identification of victims tion. Flooding impairs clean water sources with pollutants and disaster-affected population and emergency workers to infec- risk of contracting tuberculosis, bloodborne viruses (such as is not possible. The mass management of human remains is devastates sanitary toilets. The pollutants also saturate into often based on the false belief that they represent an epidem- the ground water and/or can infiltrate into sanitary sewer lines tions such as dengue, malaria and West Nile fever. Flooding Hepatitis B/C and HIV), and gastrointestinal infections (such may initially flush out mosquito breeding, but it comes back as rotavirus diarrhoea, salmonellosis, E. coli, typhoid/paraty- ic hazard if not buried or burned immediately. Bodies should through the ground. Some of the problems that are anticipat- not be disposed of unceremoniously in mass graves and this when the waters recede. The risk of outbreaks is greatly phoid fevers, hepatitis A, shigellosis and cholera). In hepatitis ed to be faced by the people of flood hit areassoon after the does not constitute a public health measure, violates important increased by complicating factors, such as changes in human E-endemic areas, outbreaks frequently follow heavy rains and decrease in water level are discussed ahead of this document. social norms and can waste scarce resources. For workers that behaviour (increased exposure to mosquitoes while sleeping floods; the illness is generally mild and self-limited, but in preg- Water borne diseases routinely handle corpses it must be ensured that graveyards outside, a temporary pause in disease control activities, over- nant women case-fatality rates can reach 25%.Tuberculosis Floodwater is generally contaminated by various pollu- should be at least 30m from groundwater sources used for crowding), or changes in the habitat which promote mosquito can be acquired if the bacillus is aerosolized. Exposure to tants: sewage, human and animal feces, pesticides and insec- drinking water. Surface water from graveyards must not enter breeding (landslide, deforestation, river damming, and rerout- bloodborne viruses occurs due to direct contact with non-intact ticides, fertilizers, oil, asbestos, rusting building materials, and inhabited areas. Ensure universal precautions for blood and ing). skin of blood or body fluid, injury from bone fragments and so forth.In general, flooding is associated with an increased body fluids.Use of body bags and hand-washing with soap after Infection from corpses needles, or exposure to the mucous membranes from splash- risk of water-borne diseases. There may be an increased risk handling bodies and before eating must be taken care of. Bod- It can be assumed that in Kashmir, many livestock and stray ing of blood or body fluid. Gastrointestinal infections are more of infection of water-borne diseases contracted through direct ies do not need to be disinfected before disposal (except in animals are feared drowned in water. Moreover, large quanti- common as dead bodies commonly leak faeces. The public contact with polluted waters, such as wound infections, der- case of cholera) but vaccination of workers against hepatitis B ty of meat and poultry from slaughter houses and shops would and emergency workers alike should be duly informed to avoid matitis, conjunctivitis, and ear, nose and throat infections. is highly recommended. also have been flushed away with mighty flood. All this organ- panic and inappropriate disposal of bodies, and to take ade- However, these diseases are not epidemic-prone. The only Rescue measures have already been taken up at war foot- ic waste along with sullage can be source of infection if not quate precautions in handling the dead. epidemic-prone infection which can be transmitted directly ing by NDRF, Forces and local administration in the flood hit mitigated well in time. Another problem is to handle the corpses Patients having chronic diseases from contaminated water is leptospirosis, a zoonotic bacteri- regions. Now the thrust area to be focused ahead shall be (dead bodies, usually of human beings). Contrary to common The major trouble in the flood hit areas of J&K is being al disease. Transmission occurs through contact of the skin ensuring adequate relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of the belief, there is no evidence that corpses pose a risk of disease faced by patients suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, and mucous membranes with water, damp soil or vegetation flood victims. Lastly, development or updating of the mental "epidemics" after natural disasters. Most agents do not sur- CVD and nephrological disorders as they require regular med- (such as sugarcane) or mud contaminated with rodent urine. health policy and plan to ensure a long-term vision of strength- vive long in the human body after death (with the exception of ications on daily basis. There is a critical need to transport req- Vector borne diseases ening the mental health system in flood hit areas is highly rec- HIV - which can be up to 6 days) and the source of acute infec- uisite medicines so as to reach the needy ones failing which Floods may also indirectly lead to an increase in vector- ommended. Establishing community based mental health tions is more likely to be the survivors. Human remains only emergency conditions or even causalities may occur. borne diseases through the expansion in the number and services to include psychiatric units in general hospitals and pose health risks in a few special cases requiring specific pre- Other problems range of vector habitats. Standing water caused by heavy rain- special camps can also be established for people who had suf- cautions, such as deaths from cholera or haemorrhagic fevers. Other health risks posed by flooding include drowning and fall or overflow of rivers can act as breeding sites for mosqui- fered trauma especially children, elderly and pregnant women. However, workers who routinely handle corpses may have a injuries or trauma. Tetanus is not common after injury from toes, and therefore enhance the potential for exposure of the (The author is lecturer in Environmental Sciences)