Navraathri & Dussehra: Dhurgaa Pooja / Mysore Dasara / Bastar Dussehra / Kullu Dussehra / Kanjak Pooja / Kumari Pooja / Dasain / Golu / Bommala Koluvu / Bathukamma Panduga / Saraswathee Pooja / Vijaya Dasami / Aayudha Pooja

This book, Navraathri and Dussehra, the fourth in the series, Indian Festivals, details about all aspects of Goddess Shakthi, legends and how this festival is celebrated all over the diverse India in its myriad forms and names. Festivals are an integral part of a society, be it in any country. They are an expressive way to celebrate the glorious culture, heritage and traditions of that country/region.
I was looking for a book to read to my 2 kids, 17 year-old son and 5 year-old daughter, about this festival and I could not find one. Hence, I conceived the idea of writing a series of books on Indian Festivals, for kids and adults alike, with lots of colorful pictures that exudes the sheer excitement, fervor, happiness, fun, flavor and facts of and about the festival. This would serve as a great source of introductory information for the people of other nationalities wanting to know about India. People of Indian origin, settled all around the globe can find this book valuable as a single point of reference. This book could also act as a travel resource for people travelling to India.
The writing of this book, kindled my childhood memories of the celebration of this festival in my parents’ home and in my neighborhood from the early 1980s and 1990s. Navraathri meant ‘Bommala Koluvu’. My Dad on the previous day of the festival would use a ladder to access the attic and take the dolls out of storage. Then my sister, brother and myself would dust and clean the dolls. Parallelly, my Mom and Dad would set up the steps for the arrangement of the dolls using long wooden planks and big boxes. Then my Mom would decorate the steps artistically with beautiful special garments, do ‘kalasa sthaapana’ and then arrange the dolls on the steps. It was customary for my parents to always buy a new doll each year. We had a set of huge white dolls of Shayana Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi and a set of Lord Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana and Hanuman. They were the specialty of our home in the neighborhood and our neighbors always praised the ‘lifeness’ of our dolls.
My Mom worked for Southern Railways and after returning home from office in the evening, she would make Sundal or sugared Besan as special Prasadam for Naivedhyam(=offering to God). Then we would have neighbors stop by at our home. My sister and myself would arrange beforehand 10 sets of betel nut leaves, betel nuts and dried turmeric for ‘Thaamboolamu’ for the guests. Also, we would make packets of the special Prasadam using paper to be included in the Thaamboolamu. It was lot of fun. Unknown kids too would yell ‘Golu maami’ and we would offer the Prasadam.
Now, living in the USA, I celebrate the festival with the same fervor with my husband and kids. I keep Bommala Koluvu at home and invite my friends during Navraathri to offer Thaamboolamu.
In placing this edition of ‘Navraathri and Dussehra’, I invite all the readers to immerse themselves in the spirit of this festival and I hope the readers enjoy my book too as much as I enjoyed writing it.
May every Navraathri and Dussehra herald in Peace, Health, Happiness and Prosperity to all!