The end of the rainy season coincides with the beginning of the auspicious festival of Navratri. All that I know is that Navratri festival is dedicated to Mother Goddesses Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati. Together they are responsible for the creation of the world according to the ancient Hindu scriptures.
Like during all festivals, the atmosphere in my house is all set to celebrate the festivals well in advance. During this time of the year it is celebration time again after the celebration of Ganpati festival that we enjoyed so much, as it is Navratri time. And the main person behind the festive atmosphere, the enthusiasm and the preparation is none other than the Goddess herself- my Mother. Since this is a festival dedicated to Mother Goddess, I would like to talk about my Mother.
My Mother is the most beautiful woman in the world. I see all the qualities of the Goddess Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati in her. I thank God from the bottom of my heart to have chosen her to be my Mother and I wish that I am born to her for eternity. I pray to God that everyone gets a mother as loving as her.
As she does every year my Mother was all set to celebrate Navratri and conduct Puja and rituals as per the Hindu scriptures. She collected all the articles and decorated the house and the Puja room to invite Goddess Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati on the first day of Navratri and will not be eating the whole day. Shame on me I cannot stay without food for even three hours. What to do the crows start crowing in my stomach. However, she strictly asked me to be a vegetarian for nine days. I have agreed to that just to please her as you see she is my Goddess.
When I came home I was amazed with what I saw. On the main door there was a huge garland of orange flowers. The house had the fragrance of Sandalwood and I felt blessed the moment I entered my house. I just could not stop my hands join together and I bowed to pray. The first thought that came to my mind was 'God please fulfill all my Mother’s dreams'. And I don't know if I am being selfish as I know in my heart that her dreams coincide with mine. The amount of love, devotion that she had put in creating the divine atmosphere and in setting up the shrine is without doubt astonishing.
The shrine consists of photos of Goddess Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati decorated with flowers and garland. In front of them there is a big hollow plate covered with a decorative cloth and filled with mud. In that plate seeds are sown and for nine day we will be watching new seeds sprout - a sign of prosperity and abundance as per the Hindu scriptures. On top of the plate I see two earthen covered with a silk cloth which looks like a bottom half of a saree. The pots are filled with water and immersed with betel leaves. On top of the pots and betel leaves I see two coconuts with a tikka of haldi and kumkum covered with a decorated cloth and Gajra made out of yellow flowers. In the middle of the two pots I see a garland of orange flowers and betel leaves attached to a hook a meter above. A lamp is kept in front of the shrine that will be burning continuously for nine days. Such was the sight of the shrine that my Mother created. We will be praying at this holy shrine for nine days.
As I mentioned earlier it is my Mother who is a Goddess for me. I thank my mother for all the values and good habit that she has inculcated in me. I remember when I was in school; she would not even allow me to say ‘Baap’ while mentioning someone’s father as she thought it was disrespectful which I now find funny. I still cannot say that word. If I have to say it I pronounce it as 'Baab'. Like how the American's pronounce the name 'Bob'. I thank her for all the love she has given me and will always strive to make her proud. Thank you Mom! I love you!
Shardul P
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