Navarathri commemorates Durga (Mahishasura Mardhini) saving the world by killing the evil Mahishasura. From what I've heard (long ago - I don't *think* I'm wrong, but I could be or could even have confused it with some other festival, so please check for yourself):
After completing the task, she withdrew to a quiet place to do Yoga. And for the first three days of meditation she remains in Durga form, then she becomes Lakshmi and then finally Saraswati before she ascended again after the 9th day.
I suppose this kinda also represents the 3 Gunas: progression to Sattva Guna. (Although Amman/all three Amman are beyond all the Gunas, naturally.)
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Navarathri also involves Gollu: arranging lots of beautiful statues of Gods, and dolls too. And then there's sundal and sweets to eat.
Nippon also has its own Gollu festival (different from the Hindu celebration of Durga's victory, of course): www.chennaionline.com/specials/navarathiri2002/japanesegolu.asp
<i>Question for Sunder</i> if he gets to read this:
After Navarathri comes Vijaya Dashami (I'm guessing it means Victorious Tenth Day) celebrating Durga's victory over the Asura. But I'm a bit confused. That's referring to 9 nights of battle then (and a victory on the 10th), doesn't it? Then where does the Yoga come in? Or are we celebrating both the battle/victory and commemorating the meditation of Durga-Lakshmi-Saraswati. Or did I confuse occasions/festivals? I didn't think I did... <!--emo&
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Sunder, if you read this, I'd much appreciate any clarifying response. Thanks.
After completing the task, she withdrew to a quiet place to do Yoga. And for the first three days of meditation she remains in Durga form, then she becomes Lakshmi and then finally Saraswati before she ascended again after the 9th day.
I suppose this kinda also represents the 3 Gunas: progression to Sattva Guna. (Although Amman/all three Amman are beyond all the Gunas, naturally.)
<snip>
Navarathri also involves Gollu: arranging lots of beautiful statues of Gods, and dolls too. And then there's sundal and sweets to eat.
Nippon also has its own Gollu festival (different from the Hindu celebration of Durga's victory, of course): www.chennaionline.com/specials/navarathiri2002/japanesegolu.asp
<i>Question for Sunder</i> if he gets to read this:
After Navarathri comes Vijaya Dashami (I'm guessing it means Victorious Tenth Day) celebrating Durga's victory over the Asura. But I'm a bit confused. That's referring to 9 nights of battle then (and a victory on the 10th), doesn't it? Then where does the Yoga come in? Or are we celebrating both the battle/victory and commemorating the meditation of Durga-Lakshmi-Saraswati. Or did I confuse occasions/festivals? I didn't think I did... <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo--> Sunder, if you read this, I'd much appreciate any clarifying response. Thanks.