Navarathiri Festival

The Festival of Nine Nights, called Navarathiri, is one of the most well-known and extensively celebrated Hindu festivals. Navarathiri is celebrated for nine days in the Tamil month of Purattasi (between September-October). The festival commemorates Goddess Durga's (Parashakthi) triumph over the demon king Mahishasura. The day that marks triumph over the King is celebrated as Vijaya Dhasami, with great religious fervour on the tenth day to honour the victory of good over evil. On the occasion of Navarathiri, the devotees arrange “Golu” - a thematic display of dolls depicting a story or ure from the Hindy mythology. The figurines are arranged on a stepped- Dias covered in silk robes. The devotees invite their neighbourhood to visit their Golu and perform “Bhajanai” -chanting slogans while singing devotional songs to commemorate the triumph of righteousness over evil. After the bhajanai, the guests are provided with refreshments and gifts. The refreshments mostly consist of boiled pulses, and the return gifts include coconuts, betel leaves, fresh flowers, and turmeric-kumkum along with glass bangles and jewellery. The ninth day of the Navarathiri festival is celebrated as “Saraswathi Pooja” in Tamil Nadu. During this celebration, objects like musical instruments, books, machines, etc. are "worshipped." The Navarathiri celebration is also celebrated with great zeal and zest in well-known Amman temples of the state, including the Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple (Kanchipuram), the Meenakshi Amman Temple(Madurai), the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple(Trichy), and many other temples.