All about Navarathri Festival Celebrations in Tamilnadu

"Navratri is a Hindu festival of worship with dancing and singing.

The word "Navratri" literally means nine nights."

The festival in India, is mostly celebrated by young girls and married women every year during the
month of September - October. Navratri is actually celebrated in different ways across the states of
India. The celebration varies with the directions i.e. East (West Bengal, Assam), West (Gujarat), North
(Himachal Pradesh), North West (Punjab) and South India. In South India, it is celebrated in different
ways in each states, i.e. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Navarathi @ Tamilnadu
"During Navratri, Tamil Nadu has its unique way of celebrating these nine days which are devoted to
the Trinity of Goddesses worshiped in the female forms."
The celebration for first 3 days, dedicated to Durga (Goddess of Valor), and the middle 3 days
dedicated to Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and last three days dedicated to Saraswati (Goddess of
Knowledge and Art). In the evenings, young girls and married women in the home invite their
neighbors and relatives to their home, they group together and sing devotional songs, do their prayers,
followed by arti and gifts are exchanged. Married women receive gifts such as flowers, bangles,
turmeric, bindi, saree or blouse materials etc.

The most fascinating celebration in the navarathri at Tamil Nadu is Kolu.

"Kolu is a makeshift staircase, decorated with Hindu god idols and dolls which are said to be passed
on from generation to generation."

Saraswati pooja / Ayudha Pooja

"Ayudha Pooja means, every equipment and tools that we use, whether it is in schools, office, industry,
agriculture, at home or anything else, we approach it respectfully."
It is an integral part of the Navratri festival, worshiping books, equipment and tools. The festival falls
on the ninth day or Navami of the bright half of Moon's cycle of 15 days.
At home, books, stationery and musical instruments are kept in the ayudha pooja and worshiped. At
Workplace, equipment, machinery, tools and tackles are kept in the ayudha pooja and worshiped. At
Office, Stationery and documents are kept in the ayudha pooja and worshiped.

Bikes, Scooters, Cars, Buses, Lorries and Tractors are washed and decorated. Ffrom farmers to house
holders, perform the pooja at their residence and at work place on that occasion. After prayer, the
offering made to Goddess such as puffed rice, jaggery, sweets, fruits and steamed chick peas are
distributed to the attendee.

This pooja is followed by the Vijayadashami celebrations on the next day. On this day, Parents enroll
and do admission for their children in playschools and primary schools.