Navaratri 2023 celebrations at Ambalavattam Temple Thalassery commenced on 15 October and culminated on 24 October 2023 with Vijayadasami. The celebrations had the customary splendour. It is devoted to the worship of Durga Devi and her nine avatarams – Navadurga. Navaratri means nine nights in Malayalam as well as Sanskrit. The festivities in Kerala differ from that in other parts of India. …
Pratishta Dinam 2023 was held under favourable conditions on 28 March this year and not hindered by a bandh as in last year. Private vehicles and buses could move freely. Trains and buses ran as usual. Several family members were able to travel to Thalassery and participate in the celebrations of Pratishta Dinam 2023. …
Navaratri 2022 celebrations at Ambalavattam Temple began 0n 26 September and ended on 5 November. The members of Ambalavattam family celebrate the nine-day festival with much grandeur. It is dedicated to the worship of Durga Devi and her nine avatarams – Navadurga. Navaratri means nine nights, in Malayalam as well as Sanskrit. While the festival is observed with much pomp in Kerala, other states have different customs. …
Pratishta Dinam 2022 had to face unexpected hurdles because trade unions had announced a two-day bandh on 28 and 29 March 2022. Private vehicles mostly did not come out on the roads. Trains ran as usual. But buses did not ply. Although the Covid 19 outlook was not threatening, family members were not able to attend the celebrations of Pratishta Dinam 2022.
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Navaratri Pooja 2021 got back the traditional intensity at Ambalavattam with the Covid pandemic gradually receding. The festivities began on 7 October and ended on 15 October. …
Naga Pooja 2021 was performed at Ambalavattam Temple, Thalassery on Sunday 5 September 2021. This conforms to Ayilyam nakshatram on 20 Chingam 1197 of the Malayalam calendar. We paid close attention to the the Coronavirus restrictions. Family members and people from the neighbourhood participated in Naga Pooja 2021. We celebrate naga pooja each year. …
Pratishta Dinam 2021 regained much of the customery vigour although the country has not completely got out of the grips of Covid 19. However the situation had improved significantly over last year as much of the restrictions have been eased.
Navaratri Pooja 2020 materialised at Ambalavattam Temple as is customary each year. The celebrations started on 17 October and ended on 26 October 2020. We took care to follow the protocols so as to ensure safety during the pandemic.
Navaratri devotes three days each to the worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The tenth day is Vijayadashami, the day of Victory.
First Three Days of Navaratri Pooja 2020
Guru Pooja
In the morning of 17 October, Muralidharan Shanty performed Guru Pooja. This was followed by Ganapathi Homam in the temple. Devotees from the neighbourhood attended the ceremonies.
Ganapathi Homam
On Day 1, Durga Devi is worshipped as the wife of Shiva. Devotees see her as riding Nandi, the bull, and with a trishul in her right hand and a lotus in the left.
On day 2, devotees worship the Goddess as Brahmaharini and on Day 3 as Chandrakanta.
Days 4 to 6 of Navaratri Pooja 2020
The festival marks the victory of good over evil when Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura. The nine days are dedicated to Durga Devi and her nine Avatars. Day 4 is for the worship of Kushmanda, the creative power of the universe. She has eight arms and sits on a tiger.
Day 5 marks the worship of Skandamata, the mother of Skanda (or Kathikeya). She rides a lion, has four arms and holds her baby on her lap.
Katyayani is the sixth aspect of Navadurga. She is a warrior goddess and one of the most violent forms of Devi.
Days 7 to 9
Kalaratri is the seventh of the nine forms of the Goddess Durga. The seventh day of Navaratri Pooja is dedicated to her. Mahagauri symbolises intelligence and peace and gets the pride of place on the eighth day. Navami marks the end of the nine days of Navarari. The final day of Navratri is for Goddess Siddhidhatri. She is a four-armed deity sitting on a lotus, holding a mace, discus and a book and lotus in her hands. This form of Goddess Durga signifies perfection.
Covid 19 Pandemic
Kerala Government had imposed Section 144 in the state, prohibiting the assembly of 4 or more persons. Besides public transport was not fully functional. Restaurants and hotels had not entirely opened. Consequently most family members were not able to travel to Tellicherry for Navaratri Pooja 2020 in October.
Acknowledgements
Babuattan and Nisha Umanath rate a round of applause for travelling to Thalassery for Navaratri Pooja 2020.
All the family members who made handsome donations this year earn sincere thanks.
Photos and videos in the post are from WhatsApp. I have carried out editing of the images.
Ambalavattam Temple Punapratishta was on 28 March 2004. Family members gathered from far and near to witness the functions. A team of experienced and learned tantris carried out the punapratishta. …
Naga Pooja 2020 was conducted at Ambalavattam Temple, Thalassery on 15 September 2020. This corresponds to Ayilyam nakshatram on 30 Chingam of the Malayalam calendar. We observed the restrictions related to the Covid 19 pandemic. Family members and people from neighbourhood attended the Naga Pooja which we celebrate every year. …
