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Like the states of Gujarat and West Bengal where Navratri is celebrated with pomp, Tamil Nadu has its own special way of bringing in the festival. From golu arrangements in homes – thematic display of dolls that showcase stories from the scriptures or various human values, to visiting each other’s homes for an ever-growing collection of sundal to snack on – the ways in which the nine-day festival is observed, is an experience to be part of. In its essence, Navratri is also a festival that pays respects to the nine different incarnations of goddess Durga, where offerings are made and blessings are sought in return.
This women-centric festival that witnesses married women inviting each other to pay respects to the force of the goddess within themselves, is an ode to the Navadurgai or the nine goddesses that are worshipped on one day each, during this period. Besides the sundal prasadam and the delicious snacks that are an inevitable part of the celebrations, specific offerings or naivedyams are prepared – each one being offered to a different incarnation. Here are some of the traditional and most-popular offerings.
Shailputri
Image Credits: Wikipedia
Celebrated in the form of Swarna Kavachalankrita or the holder of the golden shield, pepper-infused naivedyams like venn pongal or parippu vadai are offered to the goddess. It is said that pepper wards off any evil or negative energy, turning the atmosphere auspicious and festive.
Brahmacharini
This incarnation of Balatripurasundari is served a naivedyam of sweet desserts like sweet boondi or rice payasam on this day, as sugar symbolises longevity of life. Along with this, a rice preparation of Chitrannam puliogare is believed to dispel all kinds of doshas, once offered to Durga.
Chandraghanta
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
In South Indian homes, this incarnation is also known as Gayatri – is offered a combination of milk-based delicacies as well as coconut-based dishes. Think coconut rice, kobbari payasam or even medu vadais with chunks of coconut in the batter is believed to bestow outcomes in their entirety, whereas milk is meant to provide relief from sorrow.
Kushmanda
Worshipped as Devi Lalita Tripura Sundari, the fourth-day incarnation is often times offered a variety of yellow-coloured dishes as a way of developing intelligence. Dishes like lemon rice, pineapple kesari and sundal made with yellow moong are distributed as prasadam, upon offering.
Skanda Mata
Image Credits: Mana Vantillu/YouTube
Also known as Annapoorna down south, this incarnation of Durga is worshipped with a host of rice-based offerings such as curd-rice tempered with green chillies, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Additionally, delicacies like puliogare and rice fritters like the allam garelu also feature in the naivedyam.
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Katyayani Navadurga
Also known as Mahalaxmi, the naivedyam on the sixth day consists of a jaggery rice preparation known as ksheerannam or chakkarai pongal. Since jaggery is considered to be the ingredient that signifies utmost confidence to face challenges, prayers are offered while serving the sweet rice to instill a sense of courage.
Kalaratri
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Focussed on mainly as the day to worship goddess Shakti or Mari Amman, it is believed that mothers pray for their children to progress academically with naivedyams like jaggery mixed with beaten rice, sweet pongal and dishes infused with saffron. This is also an incarnation that traditions associate with education and academic success.
Maha Gauri Navadurga
Worshipped as her original form of Durga, naivedyams to pray for fertility and peace of mind are offered – which include konda kadalai (black chana) sundal, sugarcane payasam as well as pieces of ginger smeared with lemon. Meant to be a way of expressing reverence for the goddess, the naivedyam offerings on this day are believed to be made as a way of pleasing her.
Siddhidatri
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On the ninth day, when goddess Durga takes on her incarnation of being the annihilator of evil, she is worshipped as Mahishasuramardini – or the slayer of the Mahishasura demon. Offerings made to the incarnation on this day is meant to protect devotees from unforeseen or dangerous deaths; and include kadamba rice – a temple-style preparation of rice, lentils and vegetables – flavoured with bitter berries as well as sweet pongal.
