Navarathiri

I spent quite a few days during dussera in Bangalore. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was also a highly social event. I was amazed once more at the thoughtfulness of weaving such varied festivals into our lives.
Our apartment complex has evolved a wonderful system for all the nine days of dussera. The housemates take turns in inviting others to their house for haldi kumkum. It is usually preceeded by lalitha sahasranam recitation. So more than 40 odd women and children land up in each house by 6 pm. They are all dressed in their fineries and the entire place looks like a tapestry of latest fashion and design. The deity is usually very well decorated.The artistic tastes of the lady is fully brought out. I have seen very many decorative items in all these pujas. I invariably stay back and ask the lady, where to get these items. The recitation starts. Most of them are veterans and can reel of all the 1000 names without batting an eyelid. It was a first occasion so I was mostly groping. There is something about chanting, especially when you have a very enthusiastic and religious group. I closed my eyes on the first day and just allowed the resonance of the sound to flow over me. It was really very unique and soul satisfying.
Chanting over and a few of the ladies break out into some bhajans/songs. Then there is 'aarti' and distribution of prasad. We had almost a full meal in some houses.Prasad items were neatly packed in disposable cups/trays.We had porul vilangai urundai as prasad in my neighbour's house! I remembered my athai who used to visit us used to bring this sweet.I still remember the unique taste and texture!
Then the haldi kumkum. I had enough cocoanuts to feed an entire village!
Then the ladies stayed back for a chat and exchange of news.The kiddos had a field day playing and fooling around.
Then we trooped to another flat to see 'kolu'. I saw new sets of toys and new themes. Well, old themes but I am seeing them as made into dolls for the first time. Narasimhar coming out of the pillar; wedding set, including an entire 'pandhi' of people having their meals; partha sarathy perumal veedi purappadu; tirupati brahmotsavam including the seven hills and the winding mountain path; lanka and asoka vanam and sita and hanuman and karthigai pengal. I saw chettiar and chettichi sitting pretty on plastic chairs.I asked the lady of the house and she told me, they cannot sit on the floor as they have arthritis!
I have got to know quite a few families during this season and quite intimately at that. That is the purpose of these festivals, I guess. One elderly lady, about 80 years old sang a beautiful carnatic song and bowled me over how she was able to hold her breadth.
Navarathiri festival is my favourite. It is spread over nine full days and helps us to phase out our activities. It is suffused with religious feelings.For the pious, it is kalasam and pooja in the mornings.Elaborate naivedhyam preparations for the culinary experts! For the artistically inclined it provides endless scope for experimenting and enjoying keeping the kolu dolls . For the musically inclined, it is a time to bring forth all of ones talents and also listen to others who are as well endowed. For those interested in dressing well, again this festival offers immense scope.You can dress up and also elaborately dress up your dolls on display!
Again for busy people who are not able to keep up with friends/relatives/neighbours, this gives a capsule course to get in touch and that too in such an enjoyable way!