Navaratri

Navaratri is celebrated among the Hindus in Kerala; it is celebrated all over India but is known by different names in different parts. This festival is usually celebrated for nine days. The Saraswati puja and Ayudha Puja are performed on the Durgashtami day a ceremony called Poojavaipu is performed in the evening. Just before the Poojavaipu, all studies and work which mainly require skill, are suspended. Then a Puja is performed to Godess Saraswati during which fruits, beaten rice, roasted paddy or malar, jaggery etc, are offered. The following day is known as Mahanavami and it is totally devoted to the worship of Saraswati and pooja is performed both in the morning and in the evening. On the Vijayadasami day after pooja in the morning, the books and implements are removed from the room and this ceremony is called Pujaeduppu. The time for the break up of the pooja marks the beginning of learning and work. At this auspicious moment the children who have not been taught to write are given instructions to write the first few alphabets on rice or sand. They are thus initiated into the world of knowledge. This is called `Ezhuthinu Iruthu' or 'Vidyarambham' and according to custom only after this ceremony the child becomes entitled to write or read. There are certain communities which celebrate the festival on all days of Navaratri Images of Gods, animals and toys of different variety are arranged for exhibition and this performance is called `Koluvaipu'.