Happy Navratri!  The Indian nine-night autumn festival of Navratri just got over. Navratri is observed all over India in autumn and is the most important Indian festival only second to Diwali.  Women and girls take central stage during Navratri as this is a celebration of the power of the Goddess in vanquishing evil.

During the nine- night celebration the three forms of the goddess are invoked. Durga – the goddess of strength/ Mother earth/positive energy;  Lakshmi the goddess of wealth and purity;  and Saraswathi the goddess of wisdom, music, arts and knowledge.

O keeper of righteous vows, remember this,
Whenever dharma is in decline,
Or there is upsurge of adharma;
The Sacred Feminine will incarnate.

She will defend dharma.
She will protect us.

from the novel Sita. Warrior of Mithila by Amish
excerpt from Adbhuta Ramayana (credited to Maharishi Valmikiji)

Meaning of dharma:  “The moral order of the universe and a code of living that embodies the fundamental principles of law, religion, and duty that governs all … “ Georgetown University Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs

Navratri Celebrations 2018

In South Indian Tamil homes Navratri is celebrated with a Golu display for nine nights. Golu displays are created on odd-numbered steps depicting various scenes in Indian mythology using dolls, toys, souvenirs and collectables.  During Golu, women in the neighborhood invite each other to visit and view each other’s Golu and celebrate the arts, music, and education. At the Golu women and children are encouraged to share their performing arts talents by singing or playing a musical instrument of their choice.

We had a great time this fall visiting with friends and family and celebrating Navratri with music, dance and creativity.  Here is a look at this year’s Navratri celebrations.

Navratri Golu at Veena’s. Saturday, Oct. 13th evening

Beautiful Golu display at Veena’s home.

Thank you Veena for inviting us to see your spectacular Golu presentation.

Navratri Golu and dinner at Gowri’s. Saturday, Oct. 13th

Time for the girls to share their musical talents.

Dinner is served.

A lovely Golu evening at Gowri and Sundar’s.

Navratri Golu at Meera, Anika, and Kamya’s. Sunday lunch, Oct. 14th

Musical performances by Rani and Anjali on the cello and saxaphone.

A few pics with Grandma!

Selfie Time 😀

A  beautiful Sunday afternoon spent with family.

Navratri Golu at Divya’s. Sunday, Oct. 14th evening

Mother daughter pics

Another beautiful Golu with beautiful ladies 💐

Navratri Lunch and Golu at Uma’s. Saturday, Oct. 20th

Ladies in their shades of yellow.

A few pics of all the gals in their colorful outfits.

Mother daughter pics.

Lunch is served 😋

A perfect Saturday afternoon with family celebrating the last day of Navratri.

Shakti
power of the Goddess
by Prajakta Mhadnak on hello poetry.com
She is the nature
She is the creator
She is the nurturer and the destroyer
consort of Shiva, complete source of power.
She is the breath,
She is the death
An eternal fire and internal desire
She is an infinite energy, in dark attire.
She the intensity of black hole and awakened soul
Without her everything is powerless, even the hollowness.
She is in you
She is in me
She is in trinity
She is Shakti.

For more information on Navratri and how it is celebrated all over India take a look at these links What is the festival of Navratri

Celebrating the Power of She.