NAVRATRI (DURGA PUJA) IN KARNATAKA

In Karnataka, Navratri (Durga puja) is observed by lighting up Hindu temples, cultural sites and my regal processions. Navratri (Durga puja) is locally called Dasara, and it is the state festival of Karnataka. Of the many celebrations, the Mysuru Dasara is a major one and is popular for its festivities.The contemporary Navratri (Durga puja) or Dasara festivities at Mysore are credited to the efforts of King Raja Wodeyar I in 1610. On the ninth day of Navratri (Durga puja), called Mahanavami, the royal sword is worshipped and is taken on a procession of decorated elephants and horses. The day after Navratri (Durga puja), on the Vijayadashami day, the traditional Navratri (Durga puja)procession is held on the streets of Mysore. An image of the Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed on a golden saddle (hauda) on the back of a decorated elephant and taken on a procession, accompanied by tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels.

Ayudha Puja is dedicated to Saraswati goddess, on the ninth day of Navratri (Durga puja), where military personnel upkeep their weapons and families upkeep their tools of livelihood, both offering a prayer to Saraswati as well as Parvati and Lakshmi. Another Navratri (Durga puja) tradition in Karnataka has been decorating a part of one's home with art dolls called Gombe or Bombe, similar to Golu dolls of Tamil Nadu. An art themed Gaarudi Gombe, featuring folk dances which incorporate these dolls, is also a part of the celebration of Navratri (Durga puja).

No Indian state celebrates Navratri (Durga puja) or Vijayadashami or Dussehra like Karnataka. Here is all you need to know about Navratri(Durga puja)celebration in Karnataka.It is that time of the year again. The Navratri(Durga puja) festival season in India is underway and people all over the country are participating in the celebrations as always. One of the Navratri(Durga puja)  festivals to look forward to in the days to come is Dussehra. Come the 11th of October and you will see huge effigies of a 10-headed deity with a big mustache and an evil smirk being burnt to the ground. This effigy, considered as a symbol of evil, is of Ravana who had abducted Rama’s wife Sita. According to one legend, Dussehra of Navratri(Durga puja) marks the victory of Rama over Ravana. Another legend dictates that it is believed to be the day when Durga emerged victorious over the demon Mahishasura. She is said to have fought for ten days and nine nights before she won the battle against evil. Both these legends make Dussehra a celebration in Navratri(Durga puja) of the victory of good over evil. Not just India, but even Nepal and Sri Lanka celebrate the festival of Dussehra with great enthusiasm.

Dussehra, Dasara or Vijayadashmi of Navratri(Durga puja) is one of the most prominent Hindu festivals of the country. It is celebrated in several states with great pomp and fervour. Broadly known as Vijayadashami, the festival is celebrated on the tenth day Navratri(Durga puja) of the brighter fortnight of Ashwin month of the Hindu calendar. This means it falls in the month of September or October in the Gregorian calendar. It is a huge festival for Hindus due to its association with some of the most revered deities of Hindu mythology. As per Valmiki’s account in the Ramayana, Dussehra of Navratri(Durga puja) is the day when Rama killed Ravana with the help of an army which included his brother Laksman and his disciple Hanuman. In fact, India’s biggest festival Deepavali or Diwali is believed to be a celebration of Rama’s return to his kingdom Ayodhya on the 30th day of Ashwin (19-20 days after Dussehra of Navratri(Durga puja)). To celebrate his return, the city’s residents lit millions of lights in earthen lamps which came to be known as Diwali and is till date, celebrated as a major Hindu festival. According to the other legend associated with goddess Chamundeshwari or Durga, when evil Mahishasura was wreaking havoc on planet earth, the devs or good gods formed one single powerful mass of energy called shakti. A young, beautiful goddess emerged out of a bolt of lightning coming from the mouths of the three major Hindu deities – Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. This 10-handed goddess fought and defeated Mahishasura with the help of her lion on the day of Dussehra of Navratri(Durga puja). Another legend which is responsible for the exchange of shami leaves on the day of Vijayadashami of Navratri(Durga puja) involves the Pandavas. It is believed that after their 12-year exile, the Pandavas hid their weapons in a hole inside a shami tree before they entered the Virat kingdom to serve the last year of their exile. When the Kauravas attacked King Virat on the day of Vijayadashami of Navratri(Durga puja), the Pandavas revealed their true identities and used their hidden weapons to defeat them. Since that day, the tradition of giving shami leaves to friends, relatives and loved ones has been followed all across India.

The ten day of Navratri(Durga puja) celebrations involve people fasting and praying during the day and singing and dancing at cultural events during the evening. The first nine days of Navratri(Durga puja) are celebrated all over the world as Navratri(Durga puja) which means nine nights. The celebrations culminate on the tenth day of Navratri(Durga puja) as Dussehra. Navratri(Durga puja) is marked by people dressing up in specific colors dedicated to each day. Evenings are usually spent participating in dandiya or garba dance events.

Karnataka eyes Bengali tourists during Durga puja

 

Karnataka Tourism is looking to tap Bengali travellers by offering special packages during Navratri (Durga puja) festival in October to increase its share in the domestic tourism market.The Karnataka Governement is planning to tap the 13-15 per cent of Bengali tourists for Navratri (Durga puja) visiting the State more aggressively through special offers and travel guides, Karnataka Tourism Minister, Anand Singh, said today.

“The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation has prepared new packages customised for the Bengali traveller by offering special Navratri (Durga puja) at properties they choose to stay,” he said.Travellers of Navratri (Durga puja) could stay at KSTDC properties on tariff starting from as low as Rs. 350 a day, depending on the requirement.KSTDC is organising roadshows in West Bengal as also in other parts of the country to promote Karnataka as an attractive tourist for Navratri (Durga puja) destination.

The State also announced package tours of Navratri (Durga puja), including half-day visits.In the last 10 years, tourists of Navratri (Durga puja) arrivals from across the country have gone up from 2.4 crore to a staggering 8.46 crore in 2011, he said, adding that till June this year, the figure has grown by about 14 per cent.Nine flights connect Kolkata and Bangalore daily, which showed the high traffic between the two states, the Minister said.

Karnataka boasts of popular destinations like Hampi, Belur-Halebeedu, Bijapur, Badami, Pattadakal, and the eco tourism chain, jungle lodges and resorts.