It's Navaratri--Happy Dasara

 Hey.

Starting from yesterday, it's Navaratri-Dasara Festivals. We all are experiencing the disruption in the routine life at many levels-no school/college, no Office, no travel, no mass entertainment; no visit to neighbours, no friendly visits to relatives and friends during festivals, not even if there is illness or death of people who are dear to us. All these changes make all of us wonder whether there is meaning to all the cultural festivities we have celebrated all these years. Obviously, the festivals imbued us all with certain strength-physical, psychological, philosophical and spiritual. Equally strengthening effect of the festival is on the emotional well-being of the person and the community. 

    And one more casualty to the COVID 19 is the flamboyant Dasara Procession. Here are some interesting myth and history of the Mysore Dasara Festival. 

        This is that one time when Mysore is festival ready-this is perhaps one time, apart from Rama Navami festival-- when the city is awake and bright. People familiar with Mysore know well that it is quite a slow-paced city. For the native of Mysore, it is beautifully slow-paced, for Bangaloreans, it is intolerably slow-paced and if its some one like my teacher Dr K C Belliappa, they would call it 'ಹಳ್ಳಿ ಮೈಸೂರು'-lit-Village Mysore😂. 

      The ಸ್ಥಳ ಪುರಾಣ or the mythological story of the place is that the city, at one point of time in Ancient India,  was ruled by 'Mahisha' (the buffalo king).  Thus the name was 'ಮಹಿಷ ಪುರಿ' 'Mahisha puri'. This may, over the time, in the colloquial vocabulary, have become ಮೈಸೂರು/ Mysore.  Perhaps, the city has acquired a lot of the quality of being sluggish from its king-Mahisha. But, maybe, in this era which is fascinated by the quality of being superfast, Mysore has its own statement to make on behalf of being sluggish!!  

       Apart from this myth, there are interesting historical facts about the Dasara Festivities held in the Royal Palace, organised by the Royal Family of Wodeyars. Here is a sneak-peak into the history of Mysore Dasara. 

  This celebration was begun by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15^th Century. But with the disintegration of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15^th Century, many allied/vassal states declared their independence to become independent rulers. One such vassal state was the Kindgom of Mysore. Under The kingship of Narasaraja Wodeyar I in 1638 and Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar in 1773, the Mysore Kingdom expanded to be recognised as the Princely State of Mysore. Though political independence was achieved, the Wodeyars wanted to continue to commemorate their connection with the Vijayanagara Empire.  Prabuddha Karnataka, a print journal has a detailed and authentic description of the Dasara procession in Mysore. 

(This is the link to the article- https://web.archive.org/web/20070307104723/http://www.esamskriti.com/html/inside.asp?cat=441&subcat=440&cname=mysodasa)          

      

  Apart from these meta-celebrations, Navaratri is synonymous with Gombe Habba (lit. festival of Dolls). This was initiated by Raja Wodeyar in the 16^th C. A large part of the Mysore Palace was assigned for arranging dolls, called as-Gombe Thotti (lit. Pavilion for dolls). Here, the royal women used to arrange the dolls and worship the ‘Pattada Bombe’ (lit. the royal doll). The Pattada Bombe is made of Sandal wood and bought from Tirupathi, made by specialized artisans. 

    This arranging of dolls at home is of special interest. Women and children arrange their collection of dolls creatively. And neighbours visit each other-without any formal invite. Children especially are special guests and are treated with special respect.  They are given sweets and other gifts. The gifts are a mark of respect for the children who are believed to be representing the Goddess Durga. This feeling of importance translates itself into rare self-confidence. The respect and affection received as children during these days leave a deep sense of security that converts into strength as one enters adulthood. 

    From yesterday, many homes are celebrating this very unique 'Gombe Habba'. It is a pleasure when friends and family share this festival on the watsapp. Hopefully, we will continue to celebrate this togetherness, inspite and despite all obstacles. This, perhaps, is the quintessential spirit of Navaratri-winning of the good over the evil. 

HAPPY NAVARATRI TO ALL MY DEAR READERS. 

Do share your expriences of the festival👇           

Habit--to have or not to have . . .

 hey

    From the time I have started blogging, I have been trying to write regularly. When I miss out on posting the blog occasionally, then, I do feel as if I have broken a promise I made. I feel miserable--as miserable as a child when she/he loses that broken pencil which is given by the 'close friend' to be maintained as memorabilia'. But, I have been wondering why is it that trying something new and giving it up is so much easier than sustaining anything that is begun? 

     I now realise that It's fun to begin something, anything, new, like a new hobby. To continue it religiously, as a matter of discipline- I mean, 'habit' Aah!! That's tough, Chequered as my 'writing career' is, I see that I have always been kind of threatened by 'habit'. No, no, not that I am daunted by it or I think it is insurmountable. It's just that it is a lost path!! much like  Hansel and Gretel. I got lost in making a life for myself--a profession, the family et al, and finally, began to enjoy the sweet idleness in this lost path 💚💚 

     Whereas, from the start, reading was a matter of pleasure. It was (and is) my forever safety net into which I could run whenever I wanted. Even today, I can read without losing my focus in a busy market. And that's a habit I relish. It never feels boring, never tiring, never redundant and never-ever to be missed, forget giving it up!!  

      Maybe, reading is just that past time that allows a tired traveler to relax, rejuvenate, and resume the journey forward. And writing is that hard taskmaster who demands rigorous and complete surrender. In the end, like the Guru in the Gurukula system, it is that task that shapes the disciple, allows relaxation and supports to continue the journey again. So, slowly and steadily, I am learning to enjoy the art of Habit and keeping the 'habitual' at bay👐

       But, in trying to put my self again on this path of redemption of sustaining habit, I thought I could share just a few useful tips on the usefulness of creating 'habit' --from a fellow lost traveler to another fellow traveler--

    i. The 'thirty days challenge' that is fashionable now is a
    a good way to begin--sometimes, trial and error period 
     is very important . . . 

     ii. how do you think all those actors manage to look
      beautiful, if not fit? (ah! let's keep existentialism and
    cynicism out of it for a minute, please) Habit--do make 
    time for yourself-- not narcissist-like, but for the fun
    of it-ENJOY YOUR HABIT 

    iii. CHOOSE YOUR HABIT-slowly, wisely. . . let it be
       something that is passionately enjoyed . . . 

    iv. and the best part, (this is a personal experience too) 
       is that it allows imperfection. . . Habit allows one to
     improvise, find one's own perfection, at peace with
     oneself . . .  

    v. Of course, once one finds that space of growth  with the habit, it never becomes monotonous or mechanical . . .  if ever it happens, it simple--reconfigure it and enjoy😉😉   

  Dear reader, do share your experiences and/or tips for creating and sustaining through HABIT 👇