Navaratri Pooja 2024 commenced on 3 October and came to an on 13 October 2024 on Vijayadashami Day. The family members at Ambalavattam Temple Thalassery celebrated the pooja with much enthusiasm. Durga Devi and her nine avatarams are worshipped during Navaratri. It means nine nights, not only in Malayalam but also Sanskrit. The festivities in Kerala differ in some ways from that in the rest of India.
History
Ambalavattam family’s ancestors settled in Thalassery way back in 1775. They installed the original deity of Durga Devi in one of the rooms in the Ambalavattam Tharavad House. In the early 1900s, the family decided to shift the deity to a detached temple in the forecourt of the tharawad house. Later in 2004, the deity was consecrated in a new location by the side of the tharavad house. The deity faces east.
The celebrations of Navaratri continued over the years. Although many family members had travelled out of Thalassery in the pursuit of their careers, they continued to contribute towards the upkeep of the house and temple.
Navaratri Celebrations in Kerala
Kerala celebrates Navaratri vigorously each year. Generally falling in either September or October, the nine days are set aside for worship of the nine forms of Durga Devi. Navaratri devotes three days each to the worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The tenth day is Vijayadashami, the day of victory.
In Kerala the final three days of Navaratri, Ashtami, Navami, and Vijayadashami, are set aside for the worship of Goddess Saraswati who is the goddess of wisdom and learning. Devotees place books and tools in the pooja rooms of homes, workshops and temples for pooja on Durga Ashtami day.
Durga Ashtami celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Legend has it that owing to a favour bestowed upon it by Lord Brahma, only a female warrior could have defeated Mahishasura. When Lord Indra was vanquished in the battlefield, the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva created Durga. They bestowed each part of her body with strength and energy. On Durga Ashtami, she crushed Mahishasura with her trident.
Visitors to the Temple
Family members travelled to the temple during Navaratri Pooja 2024. They came not only from Thalassery but also Kannur, Vatakara, Kozhikode, Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai etc. Those who could not make it, remitted funds to the temple and offered vazhipadus.