[GHHF] Bala Samskar Kendras in Tamil Nadu Celebrating Devi Navaratrulu, arranged Bommala Koluvu/Gollu and sang Devi Stotras.

29 Sep 2022 1222 Views

Sir Monier Monier-Williams
"The strength of Hinduism lies in its infinite adaptability to the infinite diversity of human character and human tendencies. It has its highly spiritual and abstract side suited to the philosopher, its practical to the man of the world, its aesthetic and ceremonial side attuned to the man of the poetic feeling and imagination; and its quiescent contemplative aspect that has its appeal for the man of peace and the lover of seclusion."
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is very happy to inform you that the Bala Samskar Kendras in Tamil Nadu are celebrating  Devi Navaratrulu with gusto, enthusiasm, and excitement. The teachers talked about the festival, why it is celebrated nine days, encouraged all the students to participate in the Pujas, encouraged them to Aarthi to the day of the Goddess and chanted a number devi stotras.  
What is Dussehra?
Dussehra, which is also called Dasara or Vijayadashami is celebrated as a mark of triumph of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. The festival’s name is derived from the Sanskrit words dasha (“ten”) and hara (“defeat”). Symbolizing the victory of good over evil, Dussehra is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Ashwini (September–October), the seventh month of the Hindu calendar, with the appearance of the full moon, an event called the “bright fortnight” (shukla paksha). Dussehra coincides with the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival and with the tenth day of the Durga Puja festival. For many, it marks the beginning of preparation for Diwali, which occurs 20 days after Dussehra.
In North India, it incorporates Ram Lila, a gala theatrical enactment of Rama’s life story. Effigies of Ravana along  along with those of Meghnada and Kumbhakarana are stuffed with firecrackers and set ablaze at night in open fields.
Devi Worship – Nine Forms are Worshipped
'Navratri' means 'nine nights.' 'Nava' means 'nine,’ and 'Ratri' means 'night.'
 Devi represents the omnipresent cosmic Energy. She is worshipped in nine different manifestations. 
Navadurga and significance of each day of Navratri
Devi is worshipped in 9 forms known as Navadurga. The significance of each day of Navratri is attached to a form of the Mother Divine.
On the first day, Devi Shailaputri is worshipped.
On second day, Brahmacharini is propitiated.
On third day, Chandraghanta is revered.
On Fourth day, Kushmanda is worshipped
On fifth day, Skandamata is propitiated
On sixth day, Katyayini manifests
On seventh day, Kalaratri is invoked
On eighth day, Mahagauri is prayed
On ninth day, Siddhidatri is revered
The whole Creation is permeated by this Energy. The prosperity that we enjoy in our daily lives is a manifestation of Devi. Mother Divine serves us in so many forms. The forms of our mother, father, friends, husband, wife, son, daughter and also the Guru. The revolving planets and the moon are Devi performing aarti to us.  Devi Puja is an expression of expanded consciousness showing reverence to the whole Creation. The puja that we perform during the 9 days of Navratri is a way of honoring the Devi and showing our gratitude to the Mother Divine. While attending the puja we give up all our worldly activities for a while and enter into deep meditation.
According to Hindu legends, Mahishasura was a demon with a buffalo’s head who received a boon from Brahma, the God of Creation, that no man or God could kill him. What followed was a reign of terror where gods and humans alike were subjected to the horrors of Mahishasura’s rule. It was then that Devi took the form of Durga. Riding fiercely on a lion and armed with the divine weapons of all the other gods, she battled the demon for nine days and nights. These nine days are traditionally eulogized during the nine nights of Navratri, culminating in the goddess’ victory on the tenth day of Vijayadashami.

Bommala Koluvu/ Gollu/ Kollu Tradition.
You may have seen in our pictures many images of Goddesses are arranged in a particular fashion. This array of Goddesses will be kept for all nine days. Many ladies and children would be waiting for this festival to arrive in order to fulfill their desire to decorate their favorite deities with fabulous clothes and place them in one place and keep it all the way through the festival.
Dasara is very popular in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. It is synonymous with ‘Bommala Koluvu,’ the arrangement of idols and dolls in the form of step-like horizontal arrays. It’s not just about the deities from the Hindu pantheon, but the ‘Bommala Koluvu’ thematically represents social events such as marriage, village shandy, public gathering etc.
The dolls are made of different kinds of woods, clay, cloth, brass and silver. Many of the householders make it a habit to collect them over the years and display their dolls and even invite their friends and neighbors to witness the decorations. 
WE NEED YOUR HELP
We appreciate it if you can help in hiring more people who can go to these villages to do Ghar Waapasi. We have employed 26 people so far. More people we hire, more villages can be covered to welcome them back and also create Chaitanya (Awareness) among the students and villagers. Also,  we are conducting 150 Bala Kendras in five States. Support one or more Kendras. 
1) Sponsor one Bala Samskar Kendra for $1000.00
2) Sponsor one Pracharak: In order to expand our base and hire one Pracharak, it would cost approximately $3000.00 - $3500.00 per year. We have five anonymous donors who sponsored 9 Pracharaks
DONATIONS
PayPal Method: To donate visit our website: savetemples.org. Click on the Donate button, then press the Purpose category, and select the General Donation category.
By Check: Or you can send a check payable to: GHHF, . It is tax-deductible.
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
By Rupees, please contact us by either phone or email.
For more information, call Prakasarao V Velagapudi ; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

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