Nine-day long festival begins with great fervour || Swapnil Saundarya
Navratri in Sanskrit means nine nights in which nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped in a particular order. Alongside observing fast and performing various rituals, preparing a special offering for each day holds symbolic significance. It is celebrated in different parts of the country in different names and ways but the basic reason for the religious celebration remains the same – victory of evil over good and get the blessings of all reincarnations of Goddess Durga. Different states in India celebrate this festival in their own unique way, representing their unique tradition, custom and flavour.
Navratri Celebration in Gujarat
One of the most awaited festivals in the colourful state of Gujarat is Navratri. Celebrated on the first nine days of Ashwin month, devotees keep fast for 9 days and worship Maa Shakti. In the evening, an earthen pot with holes and diyas inside, also known as “Garbi”, is lighted and women perform arti with it. During Navratri, Garba dance and Dandiya Raas are popular forms of dances performed by both men and women, wearing their traditional dresses.
Navratri Celebration in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam & Bihar
In the eastern part of India, in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja and it is observed in the last four days of Navratri. These days are referred to as Saptami, Ashthami, Navami and Dashami. Durga Puja is the main festival of the people of West Bengal. Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and glitter in various parts of the states in big pandals, where large sized idols of Goddess Durga on her lion, demon Mahishasur, Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati are erected. Men and women come wearing their best colourful dresses. It is a very common sight to see Bengali women wearing their traditional red saree, decked up completely. The sounds of Dhol, Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh, the fragrance of agarbattis fill the air with freshness and purity. The celebrations of Durga Puja in West Bengal should be “must-watch” for everyone once in his lifetime.
Navratri Celebration in Tamil Nadu
Navratri is also celebrated in Tamil Nadu as a religious celebration to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati in the nine special nights. These three goddesses are worshipped for three days each. Friends, relatives and neighbours are invited and clothes, jewelleries, sweets and other gifts are exchanged among them. One interesting feature as a part of the celebration is the decoration of the “Kolu” which is actually a staircase having 9 stairs, representing the 9 nights and each stair is decorated with beautiful dolls, and idols of gods and goddesses. It is said that the dolls that are used are handed over from generation to generation.
Navratri Celebration Andhra Pradesh
The “Kolu” celebration of Navratri in Tamil Nadu is celebrated as “Batukamma Panduga” in Andhra Pradesh, which means “Come Alive Mother Goddess”. The nine nights are dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Women make a beautiful flower stack known as “Batukamma”, which is arranged with seasonal flowers. Women wear new saree and jewellery, perform puja in front of the Batukamma for 9 days and then on the last day they set afloat their Batukammas in a lake or any other water body.
Navratri Celebration in Kerala
In Kerala, Navratri is celebrated in the last three days and Keralites give importance to learning during these three days. They place books and musical instruments in front of Ma Saraswati’s idol on Ashtami, and worship the books and Ma Saraswati till Dashami. On Dashami, the books are taken out for reading.
Navratri Celebration in Karnataka
It is a strange fact that even today people in Karnataka celebrate the 9 nights of Navratri in the same manner as was celebrated way back in 1610 by the great Vijayanagara dynasty. Navratri is known as “Naada Habba” in Karnataka. The rituals include elephants’ procession on the streets, including fairs and exhibitions of handicrafts and artifacts.
Navratri Celebration in Maharashtra
The celebrations are similar to Gujarat. Navratri in Maharashtra implies new beginnings. Hence, purchasing of a home or a car or new business deals or engagement is very common during this time. Married women invite their female friends, put haldi and kumkum on their foreheads and gift them with a coconut, beetle leaves and beetle nuts. This gesture is referred to as “Saumangalyam” which means remaining the wife of her husband till her death. Each and every locality in Maharashtra has its own garba and dandiya nights celebrations.
Navratri Celebration in Himachal Pradesh
For the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh, Navratri is a great celebration. Here, the celebration starts on the tenth day of Navratri when the festival ends in other states. People celebrate the tenth day, also known as “Kullu Dussehra” as the day of return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. On this day, the idols from the temples are taken out in processions. During the Navratri festival, the devotees visit various temples in Kangra, Una and Bilaspur districts of himachal Pradesh to pay worship to Goddess Durga.
Navratri Celebration in Punjab
In Punjab, the people keep fast on the first 7 days of Navratri and end their fast on Ashthami or Navami by worshipping 9 little girls and a boy, which is known as “Kanjika”. The Punjabis organize jagratas where they keep awake the whole night and worship Goddess Shakti.
Thus, going by the religious celebrations among the people of the country, we can say proudly that in spite of the fact India is a land of diversities, there is unity in diversity and that is what makes India different from other countries.
Navratri Celebration in Gujarat
One of the most awaited festivals in the colourful state of Gujarat is Navratri. Celebrated on the first nine days of Ashwin month, devotees keep fast for 9 days and worship Maa Shakti. In the evening, an earthen pot with holes and diyas inside, also known as “Garbi”, is lighted and women perform arti with it. During Navratri, Garba dance and Dandiya Raas are popular forms of dances performed by both men and women, wearing their traditional dresses.
Navratri Celebration in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam & Bihar
In the eastern part of India, in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja and it is observed in the last four days of Navratri. These days are referred to as Saptami, Ashthami, Navami and Dashami. Durga Puja is the main festival of the people of West Bengal. Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and glitter in various parts of the states in big pandals, where large sized idols of Goddess Durga on her lion, demon Mahishasur, Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati are erected. Men and women come wearing their best colourful dresses. It is a very common sight to see Bengali women wearing their traditional red saree, decked up completely. The sounds of Dhol, Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh, the fragrance of agarbattis fill the air with freshness and purity. The celebrations of Durga Puja in West Bengal should be “must-watch” for everyone once in his lifetime.
Navratri Celebration in Tamil Nadu
Navratri is also celebrated in Tamil Nadu as a religious celebration to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati in the nine special nights. These three goddesses are worshipped for three days each. Friends, relatives and neighbours are invited and clothes, jewelleries, sweets and other gifts are exchanged among them. One interesting feature as a part of the celebration is the decoration of the “Kolu” which is actually a staircase having 9 stairs, representing the 9 nights and each stair is decorated with beautiful dolls, and idols of gods and goddesses. It is said that the dolls that are used are handed over from generation to generation.
Navratri Celebration Andhra Pradesh
The “Kolu” celebration of Navratri in Tamil Nadu is celebrated as “Batukamma Panduga” in Andhra Pradesh, which means “Come Alive Mother Goddess”. The nine nights are dedicated to Goddess Shakti. Women make a beautiful flower stack known as “Batukamma”, which is arranged with seasonal flowers. Women wear new saree and jewellery, perform puja in front of the Batukamma for 9 days and then on the last day they set afloat their Batukammas in a lake or any other water body.
Navratri Celebration in Kerala
In Kerala, Navratri is celebrated in the last three days and Keralites give importance to learning during these three days. They place books and musical instruments in front of Ma Saraswati’s idol on Ashtami, and worship the books and Ma Saraswati till Dashami. On Dashami, the books are taken out for reading.
Navratri Celebration in Karnataka
It is a strange fact that even today people in Karnataka celebrate the 9 nights of Navratri in the same manner as was celebrated way back in 1610 by the great Vijayanagara dynasty. Navratri is known as “Naada Habba” in Karnataka. The rituals include elephants’ procession on the streets, including fairs and exhibitions of handicrafts and artifacts.
Navratri Celebration in Maharashtra
The celebrations are similar to Gujarat. Navratri in Maharashtra implies new beginnings. Hence, purchasing of a home or a car or new business deals or engagement is very common during this time. Married women invite their female friends, put haldi and kumkum on their foreheads and gift them with a coconut, beetle leaves and beetle nuts. This gesture is referred to as “Saumangalyam” which means remaining the wife of her husband till her death. Each and every locality in Maharashtra has its own garba and dandiya nights celebrations.
Navratri Celebration in Himachal Pradesh
For the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh, Navratri is a great celebration. Here, the celebration starts on the tenth day of Navratri when the festival ends in other states. People celebrate the tenth day, also known as “Kullu Dussehra” as the day of return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. On this day, the idols from the temples are taken out in processions. During the Navratri festival, the devotees visit various temples in Kangra, Una and Bilaspur districts of himachal Pradesh to pay worship to Goddess Durga.
Navratri Celebration in Punjab
In Punjab, the people keep fast on the first 7 days of Navratri and end their fast on Ashthami or Navami by worshipping 9 little girls and a boy, which is known as “Kanjika”. The Punjabis organize jagratas where they keep awake the whole night and worship Goddess Shakti.
Thus, going by the religious celebrations among the people of the country, we can say proudly that in spite of the fact India is a land of diversities, there is unity in diversity and that is what makes India different from other countries.
Happy Navratre
Painter Babu
Painter Babu is an art blog run by Designer and Painter Rishabh Shukla that comments on art. It cover different topics, from art critiques and commentary to insider art world gossip, auction results, art news, personal essays, portfolios, interviews, artists’ journals, art marketing advice and artist biographies.
Painter Babu is an art blog run by Designer and Painter Rishabh Shukla that comments on art. It cover different topics, from art critiques and commentary to insider art world gossip, auction results, art news, personal essays, portfolios, interviews, artists’ journals, art marketing advice and artist biographies.
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About SWAPNIL SHUKLA
Swapnil Shukla is an Indian designer, writer, visual story teller, Design Journalist, crafts expert and artist. She is the FIRST Jewellery Journalist and Fashion Columnist who writes and educates her readers about the most intricate subjects i.e Fashion, Jewellery and Lifestyle in 'HINDI' language.
After graduating from South Delhi Polytechnic for Women, New Delhi (First with Distinction), she studied export management and start working as freelance designer and undertook Jewellery Projects. Besides, she also Holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Science.
Swapnil has earned Two years Diploma in Kathak Dance from Prayag Sangeet Samiti , Allahabad in First with Distinction.
Swapnil’s work appears in a wide variety of notable Indian publications. Swapnil made her fashion columns and knowledge available to the hindi language people.As a self-confessed ‘enthusiast of beautiful things’, Swapnil is also the chief Designer and co -owner of Swapnil Saundarya Label, which is a luxury craft manufacturing firm. Swapnil has worked as Jewellery and Fashion Columnist/Journalist for many Nationalized Magazines and started the famous and highly traffic grabber fashion & Lifestyle blog ‘Swapnil Saundarya’ available in English as well as in Hindi . Swapnil has also authored three books namely ‘Gehne – The Art of wearing Jewellery’ published in 2012, Fashion Pandit published in 2014 and The Fascinating history of Indian Jewellery, published in 2017 . She has launched her own Designer Jewellery brand namely ‘Swapnil Jewels & Arts’ and now with a desire to add new dimensions to the design and Art industry , she started ‘Swapnil Saundarya Label' with a motive to make everybody’s life beautiful and just like their Dream World. She has received the 'Excellence Award 2016' in Fine arts from Uttar Pradesh Art Society. Swapnil has worn several hats , Jewellery Journalist, Columnist , Designer, Fashion Consultant, Craft Expert, Writer and Painter. More recently she diversified into Handicraft Products as an experiment in her journey in design . She recently got featured on 'The Elegant Life' as young Indian entrepreneur who successfully started with almost nothing and set a milestone in her 20s and POWER CODE as 'Trailblazer in Hindi Fashion'.One of her handcrafted products India's First Chemo Dolls named as 'Swapnil Saundarya Chemo Dolls' has received extensive media coverage and the concept behind these dolls was telecasted on renowned electronic and digital media channels like India Voice, ETV, Zee News, News Nation to name a few.
She presently works as Director & Chief Writer of Swapnil Saundarya ezine , which is an online publication that curates articles and info. on Art, Fashion , Jewels, Lifestyle, Interiors, Health Tips, Finance, Beauty, Religion , Entrepreneurship , Interviews, History Recalls and many more.
About: RISHABH SHUKLA
Rishabh Shukla is a Visual Artist, Interior Designer, Writer, Arts Journalist & Founder- editor of India's first hindi lifestyle ezine namely Swapnil Saundarya. He is a trained Interior Designer and self taught artist (Surrealist), Affectionately known as ‘Painter Babu' in the art community. Rishabh is known for depicting the sensuality and beauty of women in very graceful manner. He is also well versed in both ,Indian Folk Paintings and Indian Contemporary Paintings.
Rishabh has studied at the renowned INIFD (International Institute of Fashion Design), Delhi in 2006 and graduated top of the class (Maintained 'O' grade), having 8+ years of work experience. He specializes in Interior Design Journalism and fine arts.
He hold double M.A degrees in English Literature and Ancient Indian History, culture and Archaeology.
Rishabh has authored three books on Interiors namely Ek Aashiyane ki Oar – A Guide for Residential Interiors , Supreme Home Therapy and Secrets of Visual Merchandising. He is skilled in variety of handicrafts such as Painting, Metalcraft etc.
Working for Swapnil Saundarya Label and Rishabh Interiors and Arts simultaneously , Rishabh has own acclaims from both critics and common people. He has held several art exhibitions and these have brought excellent response every time.Rishabh’s abstract depictions of women are said to endorse the stereotype of ‘indianness’. His women are always represented as the mother, the lover, the seductress, or the muse. Rishabh blogs on Art, History recalls, youth issues, sports, Lifestyle & Society. He is also associated with the causes like ‘ Say No to Domestic Violence’, ‘ Fight Against Child Abuse’ and ‘ Whole Body Donation’ and his association with these social causes , represents in his work as well.
Rishabh has also earned Sangeet Prabhakar Degree (6 years) in Indian Classical Percussion Instrument' Tabla' from Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad in First Division.
Rishabh has received the excellence award 2016 in Fine Arts from Uttar Pradesh Art Society and Youth Trailblazer Award in Contemporary Writing from North Indian Merchants' Association in 2017. His Success story is recently covered by leading Youtube channel 'Talkistaan-Success stories with Anurag'.
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Swapnil Saundarya Label
The philosophy of a lifestyle permeates everything you do , its the way you live , to what you wear to how you wrap your gifts . Its the amalgamation of living in the best way one possibly can.
‘Swapnil Saundarya Label’ is a collaborative effort between Rishabh Shukla ( Rishabh Interiors & Arts ) and Swapnil Shukla ( Swapnil Jewels & Arts ) . We feel that life is all about good living . That is why our label has unique products at great value . SSL is great at having unusual aesthetic design sensibility which is reflected in our products ranging from Jewellery,Clothes,Accessories,Furnishings,Furniture,Interior Products ,KnickKnacks,Paintings,Paraphernalias to Lifestyle Books.
Swapnil Saundarya Label is a place that offers a complete lifestyle solution.
At Swapnil Saundarya Label, we design and create beautiful lifestyle products that delight people and enable them to express their love and appreciation .
The lifestyle products designed and developed at Swapnil Saundarya Label are not only captivating but a true expression of your style .
Swapnil Saundarya ezine
Launched in June 2013, Swapnil Saundarya ezine has been the first exclusive lifestyle ezine from India available in Hindi language ( Except Guest Articles ) updated bi- monthly . We at Swapnil Saundarya ezine , endeavor to keep our readership in touch with all the areas of fashion , Beauty, Health and Fitness mantras, home decor, history recalls, Literature, Lifestyle, Society, Religion and many more. Swapnil Saundarya ezine encourages its readership to make their life just like their Dream World .
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