Spread over nine nights, the navratri revels celebrated across Gujarat has its own unique hint of panache. Barring all lines of communities and age groups and combining a fusion of dance and devotion, navratri is celebrated with an adherent passion across the state. This is the time of the year when people spill into the city to be engulfed by its charisma, colour, music and devout dedication.
The festival is a devotional offering to Goddess Amba and her many incarnations- Goddess Saraswati for knowledge, Goddess Laxmi for wealth and prosperity and Goddess Durga for her victory of ‘good over evil’. The temples are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with flowers and lights and people throng in to be nurtured under the protection of their Mother and to attain moksha. Legends say that Goddess Durga herself narrated the manner of observing the ‘navratri vrat’ to an ardent devotee. Both men and women hold the vrat and chant the ‘navratri mantra’ during the period.
Starting the day with pious poojas, the people fast and spend the rest of the day in religious oblivion and conclude it with feverous dance and music by men and women in vibrant costumes, rich jewellery and dandia creating a kaleidoscopic beauty. Another important ritual is the sowing of barley seeds on the first day. The barley seeds will rise in to shoots by the 10th day and are distributed among friends and loved ones. The 10th day is celebrated as ‘Vijayadashmi’, a day representing the victory of the valiant Lord Ram against evil king Ravan and the carnage of Mahishasura by Goddess Durga.
The two main forms of dance are ‘Raas’ and ‘Garba’. Raas has its roots from the enchanting dance by the Gopis captivated by Lord Krishna and the sweet notes of his flute and the word ‘Garba’ originates from the Sanskrit word ‘Garbhdeep’ meaning an earthen pot with circular holes. While the earthen pot signifies the human body the burning light inside signifies the virtuous soul. The earthen pot is placed in the middle while the devotees dance around it in a circle representing a never-ending circle of birth, life, death and recreation with the centre of it being the deity herself, a constant presence, and a solid symbol of faith in the forever changing universe. Dressed in grand ghargra cholis adorned with bright sequins and small mirrors are the women and the men don the traditional high waist top- ‘kedia’. Garba dances are organized across numerous pandals, clubs, temples and auditoriums inviting the crowd to have a night of vigorous dancing and a merry time. Mixing with a bit of techno and bollywood in the modern times, this dance remains ever popular and is here to stay.
Gujarat is a must visit during the navratri for blessings as well as a massive celebration with dance, devotion and drumbeats. The entire city is decorated like a bride with clusters of joyous people letting their hair down. Blending in fast steps synchronized with the dandia sticks and rich notes, the dance celebrations go on till wee hours of dawn. So plan your ninenights and visit The Other Home website for comfortable and secure accommodation booking and other details.
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