Mira and Milan's Excellent Adventure: Festivals and Pujas

Here is an update from Vim:

The week has ended with many events occurring.

Navratri ended on October-8th-2008 it culminates in Mahanavmi, after nine days of dance, Puja, music, masti enjoyment and worship of Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. The kids experienced two things today. On this day,‘Kanya Puja’ is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country. Mira, Milan and Mr. Mom, we extended guests at our neighbors’ house (Gaurav and Ritu) to bear witness to this Puja and accept the offering or ‘Prasad’ food which is cooked, blessed and eaten after the Puja. Ritu had to improvise as nine girls were not around and she made do with two girls and the rest of them boys.

That very same evening, Devraj our driver performed another Puja. This Puja was something I have never witnessed but it is performed every year on the last day of Navratri and on the day of Dussehra only in South India. It is called ‘Auyuda Poja’. Basically, everyone one blesses the Vehicle, Instruments, machinery they own or work with, to ensure that things work safely, and one is safe whilst using them. It’s a strange one, not sure what else to state but the pictures speak loader than words. It was a special time for Devraj our driver who collated all the items and performed this Puja, cleaned the whole garage, his motor bike, our bicycles and the car.

October 9th-08 marked the festive event of Dussehra. The festival of Dussehra is an important celebration in many parts of the country. It is celebrated with great fanfare. Dussehra is a very popular Hindu festival, which marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. There were many events held throughout Bangalore. We were guest at a house were a Puja had been performed and it was wonderful to see the staircase of Hindu god’s idols, and character figures on display.

We now focus on the main upcoming event Diwali and also our next family vacation. Location is still TBD… so many places to see on this side of the world!!

Devraj cleaning the car getting it ready for the puja!