Navami is the last day of celebrations. This year Nabami started off at 1:29PM, on 21st October 2015.
As in Ashtami, during Navami also Mahasnan and Shodashopacharapuja are offered to Devi. In addition, bali and Homa are performed. To avoid animal sacrifice,white pumpkin and sugarcane are offered. The Homa (fire sacrifice) is a combination of Vedic and Tantric traditions. Goats are symbolic of lust and buffaloes of anger, and the sacrifice of these two animals meant sacrificing lust and anger. The white pumpkin symbolizes desire and the sugarcane symbolizes greed. Again, by sacrificing these two, we are giving up on greed and desire.
Navami bhog is offered to the Goddess and is then partaken by the devotees as prasad.
Navami also corresponds with Navaratri being celebrated by other communities, where the Nine forms of Durga are worshiped.
During childhood days, Ramleela used to be performed and we would wait and watch the actors come on stage and enact the story of Rama. The flying Hanuman used to be a big highlight. The actor would be hung from a crane, and then he would fly through the air and come and burn Lanka. Fire was usually depicted with colored paper and a fan.
Then I think there was Bharatiya Kala Kendra whose Ramleela was telecast on Doordarshan. I vividly remember Ravana used to be dressed as a Kathakali dancer. This show was a dance drama but was enjoyable.
As in Ashtami, during Navami also Mahasnan and Shodashopacharapuja are offered to Devi. In addition, bali and Homa are performed. To avoid animal sacrifice,white pumpkin and sugarcane are offered. The Homa (fire sacrifice) is a combination of Vedic and Tantric traditions. Goats are symbolic of lust and buffaloes of anger, and the sacrifice of these two animals meant sacrificing lust and anger. The white pumpkin symbolizes desire and the sugarcane symbolizes greed. Again, by sacrificing these two, we are giving up on greed and desire.
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Navami bhog is offered to the Goddess and is then partaken by the devotees as prasad.
Navami also corresponds with Navaratri being celebrated by other communities, where the Nine forms of Durga are worshiped.
During childhood days, Ramleela used to be performed and we would wait and watch the actors come on stage and enact the story of Rama. The flying Hanuman used to be a big highlight. The actor would be hung from a crane, and then he would fly through the air and come and burn Lanka. Fire was usually depicted with colored paper and a fan.
Then I think there was Bharatiya Kala Kendra whose Ramleela was telecast on Doordarshan. I vividly remember Ravana used to be dressed as a Kathakali dancer. This show was a dance drama but was enjoyable.
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