Dasara Bombe Party at Aalayam!!

It's Habba Time!! So why all the fuss?

Its Habba (Festival) Season in India. And for all the Indians living abroad, it’s a throwback to tradition, good food and celebrating with friends and family!

There are said to be more festivals in India than the days of the year, celebration for every religious occasion, change of season and every harvest. For occasional traditionalists like me, this serves to be an issue. 

Yes, I blog about culture and leaving a footprint of our tradition for our kids and all, yet, I drag my feet to be obsequious to every cultural shindig that we, as Indians are required to partake in. Maybe it is the rebellion of being the married woman who has to adhere to the traditional boundaries and expectations put forth by her married home – husband, in laws, yada yada yada. Maybe is plain curiosity of why we do what we do.

 I am arguing with myself, if I have God and good in my heart, why all the show? As I said, I feel like I am trespassing in the realms of the pure traditionalists. Yet, as my good friend, and Aalayam co-host Deepa put it, we embrace festivals with fervor and enthusiasm because it is a part of our identity. And of course purist celebrations and altruistic thinking need not be mutually exclusive. 

Deepa, in true-blue modern day traditionalist style has embraced tailored hybrid versions of Habba – and has managed to retain the spirit and intent of the festival! Here are some pictures of her Varalakshmi Vratha and Krishna Janmasthami this year, and also a sneak peek at her preparation for Ganesha Habba!! 

What are your thoughts? Have you faced a similar cultural conundrum? Let’s discuss. I’d love to hear from you.

Love,

Supriya

p.s. Here’s wishing all the Aalayam readers a Happy, Peaceful and Doubtless Habba season! 

Also, do not use any of these images without permission. 

Dasara Bombe Habba!

Dasara, also called "Navaratri", is among the most important festivals celebrated in India. The Festival of Dasara is celebrated on the occasion of Navaratri, and the holy day also commemorates the triumph of good over evil.



Dasara "Bombe" or doll arrangement at our house



Forms of celebrations can take on a wide variety of manifestations, ranging from worshipping the goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga) to exhibiting colorful dolls on the day of "Bombe Habba" (festival of miniature idols or dolls).

"Pattada Bombe"..Bride and Groom Doll which is ceremoniously handed over to every Karnataka bride at her wedding



There is a legend related to the exhibition of dolls that is also known as Golu (spelled Kolu in some regions). Since the Goddess Durga needed tremendous power to fight over evil, all other gods and goddesses transferred their power to Goddess Durga and they all stood still as dolls.



"Dashavatara"..The Legion of Hindu Incarnations

To respect the self-sacrifice of these deities during the festival days, Hindus revere dolls that are in shape of particular Gods and Goddesses. Of particular signifiance is the "Dashavatara".  In Hindu philosophy, an Avatar (Sanskrit: अवतार, avatāra), most commonly refers to the 'descent' and daśa refers to 'ten' in number. The "Dashavatara" of Indian mythology can be linked to Darwin's theory of evolution. Here are the incarnations:

Matsya (Fish), Koorma (Turtle), Varaha (Boar), Narasimha (Half-Man, Half-Lion), Vamana (Dwarf), Parashu Rama (Man weilding an axe), Rama (Man, Ruler), Krishna/Bala Rama (Man, Politician), Buddha (Man, Ascetic), Kalki (Man, Destroyer) are all represented and revered as miniature dolls.



Traditional Wedding Scene - Photography by Swathi (Find Swatching You on Facebook)




Traditional Village Scene - Photography by Swathi (Find Swatching You on Facebook)



Dasara is celebrated for 10 days as a salute to the war over evil that lasted 10 days. On the 9th day of Dasara (Saraswati Puja), special pujas are offered to Goddess Saraswati – the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books and musical instruments are placed in the puja and worshipped as a source of knowledge. Also, tools and implements are placed in the pooja as part of "Ayudha Pooja". Vehicles are washed, decorated, and ceremoniously prayed to..I remember washing my scooter and then my car, adorning it with garlands and distributing sweets to all the neighborhood kids on the day of Ayudha Pooja.

The 10th day, "Vijayadasami" – is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It marks a new and prosperous beginning. New ventures started on this day are believed to flourish and bring prosperity.

Festivities on Dasara. Photography by Sripriya (Find Sripriya Murthy Photography on Facebook)

In the evening of "Vijayadasami", any one doll from the "Golu" is symbolically put to sleep to mark the end of that year's Navaratri Kolu. Prayers are offered to thank God for the successful completion of that year's "Bombe Habba" and with a hope of a successful habba the next year...

Aalayam wishes it's readers a gorgeous and prosperous Dasara Bombe Habba!

Love,

Supriya