by Sheela Srivastava
Navratri is celebrated in different parts of India in different ways. In northern India, it is celebrated as Maata Ki pooja, Bengal as Durga pooja, and Gujarat as Dandia, and in south India, it takes a very interesting and unique shape. There during these nine days, ladies arrange toys and dolls on a high platform that has steps, so that all the articles are visible. These toys cover all Gods and Goddesses. especially two black colored dolls, bride and bridegroom, which are given by a mother to her daughter at marriage time, and the bride keeps them every year at the Navratri celebration. These dolls are called MARAPPACHI Bomme (Bomme means doll). These dolls and toys are passed from one generation to another one.
These 9 days they call all elderly ladies to bless them and give them some gifts and sweets. Kids are also invited. After nine days they preserve everything for the next year.
