In Maharashtra, nine days of Navratri are
dedicated to Goddess Durga while the tenth day or Vijayadashami is
dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and learning.
On this day, school-going children worship the tantrik symbol of the
goddess for her blessing in their studies and it is considered auspicious
day to begin education and learn dance and music, buy new homes, performing
housewarmings and weddings and start new ventures.
In Mysore, Chamundi, the royal deity
of the Mysore royalty is worshipped durng Navratri with pomp and pageantry.
There is a magnificent procession of elephants, horses, chariots and
costumed attendants on the tenth day, when Maharaja goes to worship
the hilltop temple of the goddess.
In Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, women arrange 'Bommai Kolu', a special
placing of dolls in various costumes decorated with flowers and
ornaments on specially prepared steps. Nine young 'kanyas' or virgins
are offered new clothes and sweets as the goddesses and married
women share flowers, kumkum and snacks among themselves.
Kashmiri Hindus celebrate Navratri in a subdued manner as
all the adult members of the household fast for nine days on water.
One important ritual involves a trip to the temple of guardian goddess
Kheer Bhawani in the middle of a Sarovar (lake) on all nine days.
It is said that deity warns her devotees of a catastrophe by turning
the water of the lake black. It is said that water turned black
on a day before Indira Gandhi's assassination and before the last
war of India and Pakistan.
Here, dance and music is shunned as these nine days are supposed
to be spent in the contemplation of Goddess here.
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