Navarathri - what is it?

God is described as The Infinite Existence, Knowledge cum Bliss . Satchidananda. It is in the noumenal and transcendent state. The same God while creating and sustaining this universe is viewed as Divine Mother. Her three aspects of Infinite Existence, Knowledge cum Bliss are worshipped as Sakthi, Lakshmi and Saraswati on the nine nights of Navarathri. Nava - nine rathri - night. Golu is symbolic of the entire universe or creation. From childhood it is taught how to view the whole universe as suffused with Divinity. This Golu is one such ritual to inculcate this awareness. 

Usually it is like this. Typical of various creatures like bipeds, quadrupeds, birds, men, mythical persons, great leaders, wonderful objects like this a wide representation of art and thanks. There is no fixed rule. It is left to the creativity of children esp girls. In the western countries they discovered the kindergarten system only in the 19th ce. But in our country this kindergarten principle is followed from time immemorial. Bharathiar has sung a song signifying all these ideas. You see this is the ancient way of infusing philosophical awareness by child play, ritual, group chanting and so on. In places like Kolkata they chant Divine Mother's glory called Devi Mahatmyam. It is also called Chandi.
Srirangam Mohanarangan
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