History and Story behind Navratri Festival and Rituals in Kerala

Posted Date: 03-Oct-2011	Category: Festivals	Rating:
Author: Nijin Ashok	Member Level: Gold	Points: 20 (Rs 15)

Navratri is a nine day festival. History behind Navratri and Story of Navratri festival and Rituals in Kerala is given here. We also provide you the origin of Navratri, Vijayadashami and Mahanavami in Kerala. Rituals of Navratri in Kerala is also given here.

Navratri is a nine day festival. The most important days of Navratri festival are Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadashami. The festival is celebrated all over India and the rituals of Navratri festival is different in different states.

History and Story behind Navratri

History of Navratri circles behind Durga. In nine days of Ashwin or Ashvin month (Seventh month in Hindu calender) Durga fight against Mahishasuran, and in the ninth day that is in the Navami day Durga killed Mahishasuran. From that incident Durga decided to take vratham for nine days in every year of Ashwin month. Navratri is celebrated with this belief. Also when Raman goes to kill Ravanan, Naradan told Sreeraman to take this vratham. Raman went to kill Ravanan by taking this vratham.

Rituals of Navratri in Kerala

Navratri is a nine day festival. Usually the festival ends with Vijayadashami which occurs in the 10th day of Navratri. The rituals of Navratri varies from state to state. In Kerala the peoples who observe Navratri will take "Navratri Vratham" for nine days. They avoid non vegetarian foods during these days. Last three days of Navratri is most important. The last three days are Durgashtami, Mahanavami and Vijayadashami.

In Durgashtami Ayudya puja is conducted. Ayudya puja means any tools or materials used for job or education are offered to god for blessing. There will be arrangements in different temples for conducting Ayudya puja. For two days these tools are not allowed to take. So in Kerala no jobs are done during Durgashtami evening and in Mahanavami day.

The day next to Mahanavami is Vijayadashami. In Vijayadashami tools or books given for puja is taken from the temple. Vijayadashami is considered as an ideal day for starting education. So in various temples "Vidhyarambam" is conducted in Vijayadashami day. The day is also considered as a good day for starting any of the cultural activities like dance, music etc.

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