“The courtesan is .... Page 4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/sunday-magazine Work from Home...Page 2 Navratri celebrations Rahul Dogra Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm by Hindus across the country. Navratri means nine nights in Sanskrit. The term 'nava' meaning 'nine' and 'ratri' meaning 'night'. During these nine days of Navratri, a different form of Goddess Durga is worshipped each day. Each day of the nine-day long Navratri festival has its own significance. According to several Sakta scriptures, a year which is 365 days annual cycle is divided approximately into 40 nine-night periods (40 x 9 = 360 Days), known as Navratras/ navra- tri. Of these, four Navratras which are placed equidistantly around the calendar are promi- nent for the worship of Devis(Goddesses ). However only two - Chaitra Navratri and Sharad Navratri are celebrated widely. Shardiya Navratri is the most popular and significant. Shardiya (Sharada) means autumn and forms a major part of crop harvesting time. Shardiya Navratri falls during the months of September-October. This Navratri is also known as Maha Navratri and Sharada Navratri. The entire connection behind Navratri lies with the victory of Nav Durga over Mahisha- sura. Mahishasura was invincible by the gods because of a boon of immortality to him by Lord Brahma and that only a woman could defeat him. The trinity (Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesha) intervened at that point and by using divine powers collected the feminine energy in the uni- verse and it took the form of Goddess Durga ( Chamundeshwari) who battled Mahishasura over a period of nine days and nine nights and finally killed him on the tenth day, which is cel- ebrated as Vijaya Dashami, the day of victory. Navratras signify new beginnings and are con- sidered auspicious for starting new ventures. "Anda" with her little & light divine smile, so that also described that she is an Avatar of Goddess Maa Siddhidatri - The last among the nine The supreme form of divinity is regarded as feminine. The Great Goddess is regarded as Maa Durga is named Kushmanda. The word Kush- Shakti and got this name because Rishi Katyayana forms of Maa Shakti is Goddess Siddhidatri who is Maa Durga ; the Cosmic Mother, Protector and the Destroyer of the Evil. It is believed that manda is made of three other words that are "Ku was the first one to worship her. worshiped on the ninth day of Navratri. 'Siddhi' is the Great Goddess manifested herself in three major forms namely, Maha-Saraswati, Maha- + Ushma + Anda= Kushmanda". Maa Kalaratri - The seventh day of Navratri a Sanskrit term which means 'perfection'. Goddess Lakshmi and Maha-Kali who are the shaktis of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively. Here "Ku" is "Little", "Ushma" is "Warmth or pooja is dedicated to Durga Kalaratri. This is the Siddhidatri sits on Lotus and rides on the lion. She These three forms of Durga further manifested in three more forms each, and thus emerged Energy" & "Anda" is "Egg" , meaning the one who most violent form of Goddess Durga. Kalaratri is is depicted with four hands. She has Gada (mace) the nine forms of Durga, which are collectively called Navadurga or Nau Devis: created the universe as Little Cosmic Egg with the the one of the fiercest forms of Durga. Kalaratri in the one right hand, Chakra in the other right Maa Shailputri - The Navratri commences with the 1st night devoted to the puja of Maa energy of her divine smile is called Kushmanda. means the one who is "the Death of Kaal". Here hand, lotus flower in the one left hand and Shankh "Shailputri". "Shail" means mountains; "Parvati", the daughter of king of Mountains Hima- Maa Kushmanda is known as the creator of the Kaal is depicted as time & death. in the other left hand. van, is known as "Shailputri". She is also the consort of Lord Shiva and mother of Ganesha whole universe and hence also named as "Adi Kalaratri is the one who destroys ignorance and She is the Goddess who possesses and bestows and Kartikeya (Murugan).Her two hands display a trident and a lotus. She rides on Nandi, the Shakti". removes darkness. She possesses dark skin with all type of Siddhis to her devotees. Even Lord Shi- sacred bull of Lord Shiva. Maa Skandamata - Maa Skandamata is fifth bountiful hair and four hands,two clutching a va got all Siddhis by grace of Goddess Siddhidatri. Maa Brahmacharini - Maa Brahmacharini is the second manifestation of Maa Durga among Nava Durgas. She is the mother of Kumara cleaver and a torch, while the remaining two are in She is worshipped by not only humans but also by who is worshipped on the second day of Navratri. Here word "Brahm" refers to "Tapa". So Skanda or Kumara Kartikeya also called Lord the mudras of "giving" and "protecting". She is Brahmacharini means Tapa Charini - The one who performas Tapa or penance. It is said that Deva, Gandharva, Asura, Yaksha and Siddha. Lord Murugan in south India which is why she is known mounted upon a Donkey. the "Vedas", "Tatva" & "Tapa" are synonyms of word "Brahm". The form of Brahmacharini is Shiva got the title of Ardha-Narishwar when God- as Skandmata. Using a lion as a vehicle She holds This form primarily depicts that life also has tremendously majestic. She holds a rosary in her right hand and Kumbha (water pot) in her dess Siddhidatri appeared from his left half. her son, "Skand" in her lap while displaying 3 eyes dark side - the violent Mother Nature and creates left. She personifies love and loyalty. Mata Brahmacharini is a store-house of knowledge and These nine manifestations of Maa Durga which and 4 hands; two hands hold lotuses while the oth- havoc and removes all dirt when needed. are worshiped during Navratri, are believed to wisdom. er 2 hands respectively display defending and Maa Chandraghanta - Maa Chandraghanta is worshiped on the third day of Navratri Maa Mahagauri - The Eighth day is dedicated infuse divine spirit in us. During Navratri, devo- granting gestures. Kumar Skanda was chosen by to Mahagauri. This is the form of Goddess Parvati tees crowd into virtually every goddess temple for Pooja. Those who worship Devi Chandraghanta get eternal strength and be blessed by Devi Gods as their commander in "Deva-Sura Sangram" Maa to be happy throughout one's life. Maa Chandraghanta is the one who establishes justice when she did penance to get Lord Shiva as her hus- darshan ; profound perceptual interaction with the (the war of gods & demons) against the demons. band. It is believed that due to intense Tapas per- Divine. The Goddesses in this vast array of locales and wears crescent moon on her forehead which is why she is known as Chandraghanta. Maa Katyayani - Katyayani Mata is wor- formed by her without moving caused soil and dust are addressed by an assortment of names. The The colour of her body is golden, she rides on a lion which personifies "dharma", she pos- shipped on the sixth day of Navratri. Goddess Par- to collect on her body. diversity of our culture displays a huge array of rit- sesses ten hands and three eyes. Eight of her hands display weapons while the remaining two vati took this form to kill the demon Mahishasura. Lord Shiva cleaned her with water from Ganga uals across the country and devotion is offered to are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon-giving and stopping harm. Katyayani Maa rides a majestic lion. She is depict- which made her shine as white as a pearl and she the divine in its supreme aspect. Fasting, medita- Maa Kushmanda - The 4th night begins the worship of Maa "Kushmanda", possessed ed with four arms, where the left two arms carry got the name as Maha Gauri. She has got four arms tion, prayers, and other spiritual practices per- of eight arms, holding weapons and a mala or rosary. lotus & a sword, and right two arms stay in Vara- and the fairest complexion of all the Durga Shak- Maa Kushmanda is worshiped on fourth day during Durga Pooja in Navratri. She rides a da & Abhaya Mudras. formed during this period help us overcome obsta- tis. She holds a drum and a trident and is often tiger, possesses eight arms holding weapons , a lotus, a rosary and Kumbha and she emanates The Goddess got this name Katyayini because cles and direct us to a liberated life full of happi- depicted riding a bull. a divine aura. Mother Goddess created the whole universe in a shape of an egg known as she was born to the Katyayana Rishi. Some texts ness. Boosting Tourism in Manwal-Ramkot Region Ashok Sharma recitation of Bhajans and beating of the drums.After the religious rituals and havan, a grand community feast Our UT is blessed with many places which have great (Bhandara) is organised .Free Langers and fruit/Chat religious, archaelogical and aesthetic importance. But stalls are organised by various people and NGOs enroute the shrine during the Navratras. these tourist spots have not received as much attention The world famous twin lakes of Mansar and Surinsar as they ought to have got Devi Bani Temple and Babore are known for their religious importance and aesthetic beauty.These two lakes have been given a boost under complex of temples at Manwal are structures having the Surinsar Mansar Development Authority.Mansar great religious and archaelogical importance. lake has an area of 0.522 Sq.Km and a circumference of 3020 mtr.There are well developed parks, a wildlife These protected monuments which attract a large sanctuary, view points at Mansar.It is considered auspi- number of tourists, heritage lovers and historians are a treat to the eyes and the soul.These structures tell a lot cious to circumambulate the lake and for this purpose a about the workmanship and masonary in the times gone tiled path has been laid around the lake.There is also a by and foster curiosity in the minds of young students to Sheshnag Temple on the northeastern bank of the lake.