Delhi celebrates Navratri

by meghana

Navratri, a festival that honours the Goddess’, is one of the most important festivals celebrated in the Capital. This year, the festival begins from September 30 and spans nine days until October 8, each of which is dedicated to the nine forms of the Divine Mother or Shakti as she is popularly called.

Celebrations and rituals:
Navratri sees the worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Women fast during this period, with many households observing a nirjal vrat or fasting without water until sundown. The eight day or Ashtami as it’s known is dedicated to Kali, another form of Shakti, and is one of the most important days in the Bengali community. The last day of Navratri is called `Kanya puja’ where little girls who have not reached puberty are given gifts, food and offerings, since they are believed to represent the purest form of Shakti. Also do not miss the huge Navratri Festival at Kalkaji Mandir near Nehru Place. The five days of Durga Puja celebrated by Delhi’s Bengali community fall during the Navratris and Chittaranjan Park is the main hub of activity. It’s all about delicious Bengali delicacies, socializing, visiting pandals, dancing and several Shakti pujas.

Music and Dance:
Dance and music mandalis organize Dandiya and music festivals respectively. The Navratri Music Festival organized by the Mayur Vihar Sri Subha Sidhi Vinayaka Mandhir Society (Pocket 4, phase 1) and Issai Kudumbam is one such music festival which starts on September 30 and go on till October 8. Mumbai-based singer, the famous Lakshmi Rajagopalan will also attend this festival and render a performance. Members of the Gujarati community enjoy late night dandiya dances organised by Delhi’s RWAs in localities. The Bengali community in Chittaranjan Park celebrates Durga Puja with bhajans. The Garden of the Five Senses and several five star hotels too organise Dandiya Raas.

Food:
Vrat-ka-khana during Navratras is pure vegetarian minus onion and garlic. The food is cooked with special salt (sendha namak), kootu-ka-aata, potatoes, curd, paneer, milk, nuts and fruits. Dishes such as sabudaane-ki-khichdi, makhane-ki-kheer, kootu-ke-pakode, fried peanuts and dahi-ke-alu (potato raita) are made and relished during this period. Certain restaurants such as the Evergreen Sweet House , Nirulas , Paatra , Raddisson Hotel, Crowne Plaza and several others organize special vrat- ki-thalis’ during lunch times.

Temples:
The Chattarpur Temple in the Mehrauli area is a dedicated Shaktipeeth and every year, during Navratri and Durga Puja, is a hub of ardent festivities and worship. The Kali Bari Mandir on Mandir Marg, opposite the New Delhi Public Library is a famous temple when it comes to Goddess worship, particularly Kali. The Peepal Tree growing outside has many red threads tied on it for wish fulfillment! Navratri also sees great crowds at the Kalkaji Mandir.
Celebrate Navratri with fasting, feasting, dance, music and the Divine Goddess! source: http://www.asklaila.com