OOH "Girl GODS" Happy Sri Devi Navarathri!
Happy Navarathri! Devi Navarathri is the Hindu Holiday (9 nights) celebrating the Feminine Divine. A Festival that commemorates good over evil, Goddess Durga (Shakti or Power) vanquished a demon of arrogance/ignorance Mahishaswara. The first three nights are in praise of Durga (Shakti or power) next three in praise of Lakshmi (Prosperity, both material and spiritual) and the last three in praise of Saraswati (Learning/ knowledge/fine arts/music).
What I always found fascinating and amazing is that Hinduism is the ONLY religion in the world that sees the divine as feminine, an all loving mother, best friend, wife, and sister. Hinduism is a religion of inclusiveness and equality. For a lot of women seeing the all mighty divine in a female form brings joy, comfort, happiness, and easier accessibility/understanding of faith (I will explain below)!
Goddess Durga or Shakti (power) emerged from the shining light of the major male deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma (holy trinity), Agni (fire), Indra (thunder), Vayu (wind) etc. All male deities have their female counterparts. In fact no male deity can exist without his “shakti” or power!
Durga was born to slay an evil demon named Mahishaswara. Mahishaswara after years of penance Lord Brahma (creator) appeared before him, pleased by his devotion offers to grant him a boon (wish). Mahishaswara asks for immortality. Brahma responds all who are born must perish, but you may choose the way you wish to pass. In his arrogance (thinking that women are weak) says may I meet my end at the hands of a woman. With this boon he becomes arrogant thinking he is invincible, turns evil, and starts wrecking havoc in the world. The people could not take his wicked ways any longer and seek divine help. The Male deities gather together and from the divine light that shines from their faces, emerges Goddess Durga the one who ends Mahishaswara and his evil ways.
Hindus celebrate the festival across the globe in a variety of different ways depending on culture, communities, traditions etc. Hindu ways of worship differ vastly that’s what makes Hinduism so special is it’s diversity! Bommai Kolu/ Bomma Golu/ Bombe Habba is a doll and figurine display festival celebrated during the festival of Navratri in Southern India, it is customary in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala.The Kolu is predominantly displayed with depictions from scriptures such as Mahabaratha, Ramayana, court life, royal procession, weddings, everyday scenes, miniature kitchen utensils, anything a girl would have played with. Odd-numbered shelves (usually 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11), are set up using wooden planks, covered with fabric with the deities at the top and other dolls below. Modern Golus are elaborate including lego lands, fairy lands, etc. and dolls from around the world. It’s a chance for women to socialize by visiting each others homes and exchanging gifts and sweets. It’s a traditional practice to have wooden figurines of the bride and groom together, called 'Marapacchi Bommai' made of wood decorated with new clothes each year, symbolizing prosperity and fertility.
In the North Western State of Bengal, India, Kali / Durga puja is elaborate and beautiful, with special, unique dolls that are made especially for Navarathri.
Due to the pandemic, many Hindu Temples in the USA and abroad have limited the number of devotees allowed in, rules and regulations in place, pujas (prayers) are being live streamed etc. It’s been very tough to celebrate Hindu Festivities and Holidays in person. The Hindu Temple Society of North America or more popularly known as the Flushing Queens Ganesha Temple is the oldest Hindu Temple in the USA, incorporated in 1970 and completed in 1977. My father was on the planning committee for this temple (long before I was born) and it will always hold a special place in my heart. My father went on to build two more temples in the USA. Temples, puja (prayer rituals), Classical Indian Music and Dance (all who’s roots lie in worship, I’m trained in) have always inspired and played a major role for me in understanding Hinduism, connecting to it, and sharing my faith with others.
I serve as the Hindu Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor of NYU and Columbia Universities. I often think to myself what kind of world are we leaving for the next generation?
I believe in being the change, building a world of inclusivity, peace, unity, love, and compassion. Show, share, include folks of all faiths/ backgrounds in your holidays, celebrate together (it’s not that difficult to be kind and compassionate).
Last year during Navarathri, a young Shia Muslim girl (student at NYU) wanted to learn about Hinduism and to visit a Hindu Temple (there are no Hindu Temples in Manhattan, had to rent a car (lysol it first drive to Queens, hello covid! ).
Navarathri is a special wonderful time to be with your friends & family and a chance to see beautiful/gorgeous decorations at Flushing temple.
This temple follows South Indian (states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh) architecture, rites/rituals, decorations (alankaram) etc.
We did an "archana" (special individual prayer done by the priest popular South Indian way of worship, not so well known in North India) they ask for your name, family name, birth star, etc.) for her for Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge, Studies, Art, Music) since she’s a student. Priests at Flushing temple are open-minded, they understand a lot of Non-South Indians, Non-Hindus come to the temple so they customize the prayer so all feel welcome, I find it very kind of them.
Hindu Temples can be overwhelming/lot to take in I understand South Indian way of worship is ritual (puja) heavy because the South did not have major influence from other religions as the North did, flower decoration is heavy (it's hot down south, agriculturally rich), and India was a wealthy nation (before it was pillaged by colonizers ) so worship involved a lot of offering of milk, fruits, flowers, precious metals, etc. The spiritual significance behind this is one offers whatever you feel is precious to your beloved Divine and to express gratitude.
3 Major points she asked (as she joyously walked around the temple squealing in delight, it was so heartwarming to see, I’m happy this young girl had a chance to experience Navarathri and see all Devis in full regalia!) :
1. "Multiple Deities” “Ooooh so many Girl Gods!!”
For a young girl, seeing Goddess Durga, Parvati, Saraswati, and Lakshmi made her really happy, squealing with delight “OOH girl Gods!” Seeing the divine as an all powerful mother, lady, beautiful woman etc. brought a lot of joy and a sense of familiarness. She never imagined that any religion would see the divine as feminine and celebrate it!
Hinduism allows every person to visualize/choose how they see the divine. Multiple forms make it easier to draw closer to the divine/focus your faith/love/prayers. HINDUS ARE NOT IDOL WORSHIPPERS! The deity (murti/statue) is a representation, a tool, to invite the genderless/formless divine to come be with you! To realize the "INFINITE" one takes time. Hinduism is VAST/DIVERSE in its practice varies across cultures, languages, schools of thoughts etc. It's REALLY REALLY hard to "define it" that’s what makes it so fascinating, there’s always something new to learn!
BUT Main points:
A. One FORMLESS/GENDERLESS Divine w/ multiple forms.
B. Entire creation is a family- Compassion/Respect for everyone/ everything/all creation -the principle of "Ahimsa" or Non Violence
C. "EKAM SAT" - all is ONE, ALL FAITHS lead to the same divine. inclusivity accepting of all religions. (why many Hindus go to church, mosque, gurudwara, etc, they don't see the difference, faith is faith, love is love)
2. "Why do the deities have one hand pointing at you, one pointing to the ground?"
Those "mudras" (gestures) Hand of blessing (fear not, always with you), the other hand giving you what you want/need, meaning "I am always with you"
3. "Why does Ganesha/Hanuman have animal faces, why so many animals?" - Every form has a deep/rich spiritual symbolism behind it. Hanuman (monkey) represents a “jumpin' around/agitated mind" yet is a symbol of ABSOLUTE Faith, as shown in his deep devotion to Lord Rama. (Have faith, your mind won't go crazy) Ganesha (elephant) God never forgets his devotees like an elephant, he’s the Lord of wisdom, huge belly (entire creation resides), giant ears to listen to your problems, etc.
How can an elephant (Ganesha) ride a Mouse? (Mooshika) - Mouse represents the human ego, God almighty (HUGE) sits on it squishes/ quells your ego.
Lord Muruga (lord of victory) sits on a peacock - Once a demon who wreaked havoc, realized his mistakes, apologizes, then becomes the peacock & rooster on Muruga's flag. SYMBOLISM - God is ever-loving/forgiving!
Lord Vishnu and his “avatars” or manifestations such as Lord Krishna and Lord Rama are depicted as blue-skinned like the sky and oceans, meaning God is omnipresent, everlasting, and endless!
She also exclaimed “OOOH so many garlands, flowers, processions just like Shias!!!” and “OOOH there’s a WUDU (ritual washing) pit” All Hindu temples have places to wash your hands and feet before entering the temple. Muslims perform “WUDU” or ritual washing before prayer.
I really enjoyed sharing Navarathri, Hinduism, and explaining my faith.
Women in life take on multiple roles as a “Devi”, who in her later life takes the roles of Parvati as a wife and mother, Lakshmi as a housewife, Saraswati as the first guru of her children, Durga as the destroyer of all obstacles for her family, Annapurna as the food provider through her cooking, Kali as the punisher to bring the members of the family on the right track.
Happy Navarathri! May the joy, happiness, victory/triumph fill your hearts with love, compassion, and generosity like all the divine mothers! Jai Ma!
