Navaratri at Raja Rajeswari, Tmn Sentosa, Klang

Writeup by R Rajes, CJ

Navaratri celebration at Sri Raja Rajeswari Templ, Tmn Sentosa, Klang
8th October to 17th October 2010

Navaratri, the Festival of Nine Nights

Legend
Navaratri is celebrated in honour of Divine Mother’s victory over Mahishasura.

Mahishasura was born of a demon father (Rambha) and a she buffalo. As such, he has the body of a human and the head of a buffalo. He wreaked havoc all over the three worlds and the gods approached Lord Siva, Vishnu and Brahma for guidance.

Out of the flames of fury that emanated from them emerged Mother Durga who slayed Mahishasura in the ensuing battle. Henceforth she came to be hailed as Mahishasura Mardhini.

In another version, it is believed that the Mother engaged in a tough battle with the demon Bhandasura for nine nights and emerged victorious on the tenth day by vanquishing him. Hence the tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, the day of victory.

Navaratri Worship (Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati)

The first three days of Navaratri worship is dedicated to Goddess Durga,
the second three days to Goddess Lakshmi
and the last three days to Goddess Saraswati.

Goddess Durga is worshipped for gaining noble values and for the destruction of evil, and bestows on one the energy or power required to live a virtuous life.

Goddess Lakshmi bestows spiritual and material wealth for a truly prosperous life.

Goddess Saraswati blesses one with spiritual wisdom which ultimately snaps the connecting cord of the birth and death cycle. She is also the source of all knowledge and arts.

Navaratri begins on the first day of Ashwin of the bright fortnight and comes to an end on the tenth day of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are immersed in the river.

Though the festival celebrates the worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, all three Goddesses are the incarnations of Goddess Shakti (the Mother Goddess). The festival signifies power, wealth, prosperity and knowledge.

Video: Produced by R Rajes & edited by KSTan: Citizen Journalists Malaysia