Festival Navarathri

Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi Decked up glittering with prayers Dining On the top of nine steps With their friendly celestial beings down Respectively Accompanying a band of humans And super-humans, flora and fauna Environmentally resourceful Of hill, river, park, play-ground Amazingly even a city Neat like the old of new excavation At a concert of wedding music Braided long with Jasmine Draped with silk skirt and saree Bejewelled Over a feast of 'Sundal' varieties Blessing by turn of three days each In nine days Partying on the tenth, the 'weapon-day' Over the victorious demon-slaughter Goddess Mahishasuramarthini ventured Note: Navaratri has been a historic tradition within Tamil Nadu, with Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga goddesses the focus. Like the rest of India, the festival has been an occasion for performance arts, particularly Hindu temple dances such as Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. Another notable Tamil tradition is a celebration of the festival with Golu dolls. These include gods, goddesses, animals, birds and rural life all in a miniature design. People set up their own creative themes in their homes, called Kolu, friends and families invite each other to visit their homes to view Kolu displays, then exchange gifts and sweets. In temples of Tamil Nadu, Navaratri is celebrated for Devi's dwelling in each temple. The temples are decorated, ceremonial lamps are lit, and Vedic chantings are performed. Sundal is a snack made of pulses