The spirit of Dussehra is the same across India, where people celebrate the victory of good over evil. However, the rituals and festivities vary in each state.
In Kerala, the last three days of Navratri is devoted to Saraswati - the Goddess of learning. The celebration starts with placing books for pooja on Astami day and taken for reading only on the third morning [on Vijayadashami].
This day is also believed to be the most auspicious day for initiation of writing, where kids between two and three years of age are formally initiated into the world of letters before they could begin formal education. Elders, priests or any learned person will hold the index finger of the toddler to write the first letters on a plate of raw rice or even sand. They write 'Hari Shri Ganapataye Namah' and recite the same.
During my childhood, I looked forward to Vijayadashami, because once the books are kept before the Goddess, we are not allowed to read or write. It was total entertainment. I continue the ritual diligently with my daughter now.
But being a woman of letters, I staunchly believe in offering my diaries and notes as well to the Goddess. However, this Astami day when I placed my diaries I realised the last words written in them were a decade back. So I copied all my work and e-journals on to an USB and sought the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
Don't be surprised folks, if in the very near future you'll find iPads kept for pooja and gurus guiding the index fingers of toddlers on Tablets instead of rice platters!
So much for keeping tradition alive in a high-tech era!
Happy Dussehra!
In Kerala, the last three days of Navratri is devoted to Saraswati - the Goddess of learning. The celebration starts with placing books for pooja on Astami day and taken for reading only on the third morning [on Vijayadashami].
This day is also believed to be the most auspicious day for initiation of writing, where kids between two and three years of age are formally initiated into the world of letters before they could begin formal education. Elders, priests or any learned person will hold the index finger of the toddler to write the first letters on a plate of raw rice or even sand. They write 'Hari Shri Ganapataye Namah' and recite the same.
 |
| Courtesy: YouTube |
But being a woman of letters, I staunchly believe in offering my diaries and notes as well to the Goddess. However, this Astami day when I placed my diaries I realised the last words written in them were a decade back. So I copied all my work and e-journals on to an USB and sought the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
 |
| USB stick on my diary |
So much for keeping tradition alive in a high-tech era!
Happy Dussehra!
Aha! USBs for Saraswati Puja! I liked the idea. Our age old rituals and traditions are going tech too!! :)
ReplyDeleteTablets and iPads seem to be the wave of the future. I still prefer old fashion books.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good tradition you continue. I liked the idea of putting your USB for Puja.
ReplyDeleteI will put up my laptop next time.
Wow what a tradition. Keeping books before God and initiating the education on an auspicious day. It would be an interesting share with my circle or friends and family. I am imagining about Ipads and laptops in years to come! :D
ReplyDeleteAh, but what a brilliant idea Nisha! And so too, in this modern age, I'm sure there will be more followers of USB sticks and the like. It seems like you may have started a new trend: a new tradition in fact! ;) <3
ReplyDeleteThis is how a tradition in India renews itself and continues with time...lovely post, Nisha!
ReplyDeleteAt our home, gadgets for the kid are kept to an absolute minimum, with good reason. She gets her complete entertainment from books and I am delighted to see that :) Hoping this will last for as long as possible :)
ReplyDelete