By yesterday evening, houses that set up the Navarathri Golu would have done that. The women belonging to the priest community (Tamil ) will set up steps near the worship room and decorate it by draping it with silk cloth and festoons. Then the dolls will be arranged, and the bulbs will be lit, and an oil lamp will be lit before them. For the next nine days, different delicacies will be prepared and offered to the goddess. Women and girl children will be invited over and given sweets and gifts containing items such as tamboolam, bangles, and bindis. Those who know how to sing songs will be asked to sing bhajans in praise of the Devi. Bengalis worship Navaratri by setting up pandals of Maa Durga. The rest of India worships the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.
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The above was just an introduction regarding the Navaratri celebrations in India. This post is not just about the celebrations alone. It is the duty of every true Indian to make sure that the women and children of this country are safe from evil people who harm them physically and emotionally, no matter the religion, caste, or class. The rate of crime has increased over the years, and nothing is being done to ensure the safety of the helpless. Even if the laws are strict, some people get away with crime either by dodging the law or through corruption, and the fate of the common person is in the hands of the wicked who have money power, and man power. Such incidents happen mostly in remote villages where the people are not educated enough. Foreigners who visit such places are also at risk. So, it is the duty of every Indian to protect others and make sure that crimes do not occur. It is not a feat that a single person can achieve alone, but if communities stand together, then it is another matter.
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Let us all worship the goddess in every woman and girl child. The real festival is about defeating the demon in our minds.
Jai Sai Ram