Navarathri Festival in Madison
A video report by Heidi M. Pascual
A video report by Heidi M. Pascual
The Indian American community in Madison celebrated Navarathri/Dasara with a classical music festival on Sept. 27
at the Balachandrans' home. Navarathri festival celebrates the worship of three goddesses: Durga (goddess of power and
strength); Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity); and Saraswati (goddess of knowledge and learning). The
gathering also aims to develop the spiritual growth of a person and the internalization of the empowering values of this
Hindu tradition and belief.
According to Lalita Balachandran, Navarathri/Dasara lasts nine days and nine nights. "Navarathri" means nine (Nava)
nights (ratri). This is celebrated in different styles throughout India. Navarathri occurs during the first 9 days of the
bright half of the month of Aashwayuja in the Indian calendar. The most significant part of the festival is the setting up
an odd number of steps (usually 3,5,7, 9, or 11), and the placement of different idols of Gods on them. This setup is
called a "Golu." Generally, when people come to a person's house to see their Golu, they are given prasad (the offering
given to God that day), kumkum (red powder), and a small bag of gifts usually containing a mirror, a comb, a small box
of kumkum, and fruits. These are only given to girls and married women. This is chiefly a woman's festival.
It is also said to be the battle that occurred between Goddess Parashakthii and the Asura (demon), Mahishaasura. The
battle lasted 9 days and 9 nights. Finally, on the tenth day, Goddess Shakthi killed Mahishaasura. This day is known as
Vijayadasami/Dassera. Vijayadasami/Dassera means the 10th day of victory.
At the Balachandran's home, it was an "open house" to all, and people came with their families, and many shared
songs and bhajans, a musical offering that lasted more than three hours. It was a wonderful event that showed the strong
bond of our Indian American community in Madison.
at the Balachandrans' home. Navarathri festival celebrates the worship of three goddesses: Durga (goddess of power and
strength); Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity); and Saraswati (goddess of knowledge and learning). The
gathering also aims to develop the spiritual growth of a person and the internalization of the empowering values of this
Hindu tradition and belief.
According to Lalita Balachandran, Navarathri/Dasara lasts nine days and nine nights. "Navarathri" means nine (Nava)
nights (ratri). This is celebrated in different styles throughout India. Navarathri occurs during the first 9 days of the
bright half of the month of Aashwayuja in the Indian calendar. The most significant part of the festival is the setting up
an odd number of steps (usually 3,5,7, 9, or 11), and the placement of different idols of Gods on them. This setup is
called a "Golu." Generally, when people come to a person's house to see their Golu, they are given prasad (the offering
given to God that day), kumkum (red powder), and a small bag of gifts usually containing a mirror, a comb, a small box
of kumkum, and fruits. These are only given to girls and married women. This is chiefly a woman's festival.
It is also said to be the battle that occurred between Goddess Parashakthii and the Asura (demon), Mahishaasura. The
battle lasted 9 days and 9 nights. Finally, on the tenth day, Goddess Shakthi killed Mahishaasura. This day is known as
Vijayadasami/Dassera. Vijayadasami/Dassera means the 10th day of victory.
At the Balachandran's home, it was an "open house" to all, and people came with their families, and many shared
songs and bhajans, a musical offering that lasted more than three hours. It was a wonderful event that showed the strong
bond of our Indian American community in Madison.