5 Novel Navratri Rituals We Bet You Didn’t Know About

 Maha-Navratri is here, and India is preparing to celebrate this 9-day festival dedicated to the Mother Goddess. Various customs command in different parts of India, some of them much quirky too. Here are some of the most novel Navratri cultures that you might not have heard of.

1.       Worshipping Weapons

Astra Puja, in innocent terms, suggests the worship of weapons. Also remembered as Ayudha Puja, it is a custom often followed in the South Indian states of India on the 9th day of Navratri. Weapons are worshipped by soldiers, while artisans adore their tools. Though this puja originally included worshipping battle weapons, tools like the typewriter and plow are revered today. The puja is blessed to one’s declaration and recognizes that a mystical force encourages regular work.

2.       Animal Sacrifice in Rajasthan

Animal sacrifice during Navratri is more common than you’d imagine! The Indian God statues manufacturers of Rajasthan offer a sacrifice of a buffalo or goat to their family Goddess during Navratri. Even the Hindu temples in West Bengal and Assam have witnessed the sacrifice of goats, chickens and buffalos.

3.       Sowing of Barley

Barley is the symbol of success, affluence and extension. Not surprisingly, it advances an outstanding presence in the festival of Navratra too! Barley sown through this festival is deemed a favourable omen. It is understood that the nature and length of the shoots will conclude how much capital and prosperity the family will receive throughout the upcoming year.

4.       Doll-Worship (Kolu) in South India

In the southern states, Navratri is observed as Kolu—antique Hindu god statues and doll-display ceremony where dolls are worshipped. Kolu is regularly attended by a cultural show that portrays stories from the Ramayan. Kolu is not restricted to India simply—various countries, particularly Sri Lanka and Japan, mark this festival.

5.       Navratri Fact File

·         Did you understand? 9 forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) are celebrated through Maha Navratri, with each avatar implying a separate perspective of the Mother’s potential and character.

·         5 different types of Navratri are dedicated throughout the year, with the Maha Navratri over September-October being the most important celebration of this festival.

·         Each part of India celebrates this 9-day festival in its way. In North India, fasting is recognized on all 9 days, while in Gujarat and other sections of western India, dances like the Garba & Dandiya Raas stand out in the celebrations as brass idols of Hindu gods online. West Bengal celebrates it in the order of Durga Puja, while Kolu is praised in South India.

India is a charming land of beliefs and traditions, and in a land as limitless as ours, it should appear as no wonder that each section has a definite style of admiring a festival as Hindu God statues to buy. The celebrations throughout Navratri may change across districts, but lack of resources implies a lack of zeal and enthusiasm.