GEORGE TOWN: For the past 25 years without fail, Dr S. Jeyashree and her business IT consultant husband S. Kannan would invite relatives and friends to their house to celebrate the Navarathiri festival.
“Navarathri is a happy occasion where people come together to recite shlokas (holy chants) and have fun together. The festival is also to promote peace and unity,” said Dr Jeyashree, 52.
“We have a different theme every year. This year, I made a paper replica of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple in Thirupathi, India from papier mache and styrofoam.
“It took me about three weeks to get it done,” she said at her residence in Jelutong.
Besides that, Dr Jeyashree also prepared vegetarian dishes.
“This year, I cooked lime rice, dhal with green peas, vegetable kurma and also stir-fried chickpeas.
“I also made sweets from coconut, Milo powder and sugar,” said Dr Jeyashree, who also helps NGO clinics service the community.
This year, the Navarathiri festival began on Sept 29 and will end today.
During the festival, Hindus observe a strict vegetarian diet. Devotees would worship three goddesses over nine days.
The goddesses are Durga (Goddess of Bravery), Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and Saraswathi (Goddess of Knowledge).
The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.Dr Jeyashree’s daughter K. Brindha, 23, explained that the assortment of Hindu deities sitting on the nine-tier altar would be displayed for 10 days during the festival.
“Back in India, the 10th day is usually a day for students to start school or learn something new.
“We will put the statues back in the boxes on the 11th day,” the biotechnology graduate said.
Asha Chand, 51, said she had been celebrating the festival with the family for over 20 years.
“This celebration keeps the culture alive and will leave a huge impact on the future generations.
“Jeyashree chooses a different theme every year focusing on the famous temples in India.
“She brings everybody together through her humble act,” the pharmacist said.
“Navarathri is a happy occasion where people come together to recite shlokas (holy chants) and have fun together. The festival is also to promote peace and unity,” said Dr Jeyashree, 52.
“We have a different theme every year. This year, I made a paper replica of the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple in Thirupathi, India from papier mache and styrofoam.
“It took me about three weeks to get it done,” she said at her residence in Jelutong.
Besides that, Dr Jeyashree also prepared vegetarian dishes.
“This year, I cooked lime rice, dhal with green peas, vegetable kurma and also stir-fried chickpeas.
“I also made sweets from coconut, Milo powder and sugar,” said Dr Jeyashree, who also helps NGO clinics service the community.
This year, the Navarathiri festival began on Sept 29 and will end today.
During the festival, Hindus observe a strict vegetarian diet. Devotees would worship three goddesses over nine days.
The goddesses are Durga (Goddess of Bravery), Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and Saraswathi (Goddess of Knowledge).
The 10th day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or Dussehra.Dr Jeyashree’s daughter K. Brindha, 23, explained that the assortment of Hindu deities sitting on the nine-tier altar would be displayed for 10 days during the festival.
“Back in India, the 10th day is usually a day for students to start school or learn something new.
“We will put the statues back in the boxes on the 11th day,” the biotechnology graduate said.
Asha Chand, 51, said she had been celebrating the festival with the family for over 20 years.
“This celebration keeps the culture alive and will leave a huge impact on the future generations.
“Jeyashree chooses a different theme every year focusing on the famous temples in India.
“She brings everybody together through her humble act,” the pharmacist said.
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