Why Tamil Hindus pray to the Navagraha Tamil Hindus pray to the Navagrahas-the nine celestial planets-to seek their blessings and mitigate the negative influences of these planets. Each planet is believed to govern different aspects of life, such as health, wealth, and relationships. By offering prayers and performing rituals, devotees aim to bring balance, harmony, and prosperity into their lives. The Navagrahas are also installed in temples to symbolize cosmic order and to help worshippers drive away misfortunes.

https://www.bkz.de/nachrichten/wie-backnangs-hindugemeinde-feiert-313500.html#google_vignette Zwischen Girlanden, Öllampen und Schmuck feiern Tamilen im Backnanger Sri Meenakshi Ambal Tempel das Lichterfest Deepavali. Seit über 30 Jahren pflegt die Gemeinde ihre religiösen Traditionen – ein Stück gelebte Heimat für viele, deren Wurzeln in Sri Lanka liegen.

In India, the Navaratri festival is celebrated grandly for nine days, followed by Vijayadashami on the tenth day. Starting from the first day after the new moon in the Tamil month of Purattasi, from Prathamai until Navami, these nine days of fasting are known as Śārada Navaratri. This Śārada Navaratri centers on the worship of Ādi Parāśakti (the Supreme Mother Goddess):• The first three days are dedicated to Durga,• the next three to Mahalakshmi,• and the final three to Saraswati. These nine days symbolize valor, wealth, and wisdom. Each day the Goddess is worshipped in one of her nine forms under nine names. Those who observe the Navaratri fast consume only satvic food (pure vegetarian). On the new moon day, they eat only once. From Prathamai to the eighth day they continue fasting, on the ninth day (Navami) they remain on a complete fast, and on the tenth day (Dashami) they break the fast in the morning. However, the fast may be adapted according to one’s health condition. Puranic Story The demon Mahishasura performed austerities toward Brahma and obtained a boon that he could only be killed by a woman whom no one had ever seen before. With this power, he began tormenting both the Deva-loka (heavenly realm) and the Bhoo-loka (earthly world). Unable to bear his cruelty, the gods appealed to the Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma). When the combined energies of the three deities came together, a radiant light emerged, and from it appeared a powerful goddess: Durga Devi. Durga fought Mahishasura for eight days and finally slew him on the ninth day (Navami). The following day (Dashami), the gods performed Ayudha Puja (worship of weapons) to celebrate victory. Since then, this day has been called Vijayadashami (“the victorious tenth day”). Because she destroyed Mahishasura, the goddess is also known as Mahishasuramardini (“the slayer of Mahishasura”). Another Legend The goddess Parvati once battled the demon Pandasura but could not defeat him. She then prayed to Lord Shiva, and on Vijayadashami, she killed Pandasura, who had disguised himself as a Vanni tree. This is commemorated through the “Vazhai Vettu” festival (banana tree cutting) on Vijayadashami evening. Since the demon was slain in the evening, the ritual is traditionally observed at dusk.

Kanthasaddi fasting, more formally known as Kanda Sashti Vratam or Skanda Shasti, is a six-day fast observed by Hindu devotees in honor of Lord Murugan (also known as Skanda, Kartikeya, or Subrahmanya). The fast commemorates Lord Murugan’s triumph over the demon Surapadman, a significant event in Hindu mythology and a source of spiritual power. During this period, devotees abstain from some or all solid foods, focusing on prayers, meditation, and devotional activities to cleanse the mind and body.Purpose and SignificanceHonoring Lord Murugan: Devotees observe the fast to please Lord Murugan, who is associated with war, victory, knowledge, and consciousness.Spiritual Purification: The fast is intended to purify the mind and body, flushing out impurities and fostering self-control and divine connection.Mythological Connection: It relates to the story of Lord Shiva creating Muruga to defeat the demon Surapadman, symbolizing the renewal of spiritual energy and higher consciousness.Chanting and Devotion: Devotees chant the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, a devotional prayer, and other mantras to invoke Murugan’s blessings and protection.Observing the FastDuration: The fast lasts for six days, typically in the lunar month of Karthika (Karthigai), culminating on the Soorasamharam day.Dietary Practices: Fasting forms vary, but commonly include:One meal a day: Taking only one meal, often in the evening.Fruit and milk: Consuming only fruits and milk as a single meal.Liquid-only diet: Abstaining from all solid foods but consuming only liquids like water or strained fruit juice.Other Practices:Bathe early: Devotees bathe early in the morning on each day of the fast.Worship and Meditation: Engaging in meditation, chanting, and worship at home or temples.Satsang and Bhajan: Participating in devotional songs and gatherings.The End of the Fast: The fast concludes on the sixth day, Soorasamharam, which is the most important day of the festivities. A feast or special ceremonies often follow.