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. …
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. …
Navarathri Pooja will be from 2 – 11 October. During this period, the temple will be open for pooja from 6:00 to 9:00 am and in the evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
All are invited to visit the temple and attend the pooja.
