NAVRATRI (DURGA PUJA) IN GUJARAT

Navratri (Durga puja) festival in Gujarat is one of the main festivals. The traditional method for Navratri(Durga puja) includes fasting for a day, or partially every of the nine days such as by not eating grains or just taking liquid foods, in Navratri (Durga puja) remembrance of one of nine aspects of Shakti goddess. The prayers are dedicated to a symbolic clay pot called garbo, as a remembrance of womb of the family and universe. The clay pot is lit, and this is believed to represent the one Atman ^.

In Gujarat and nearby Hindu communities such as in Malwa, the garbo of Navratri (Durga puja) significance is celebrated through performance arts on all nine days. The most visible is group dances from villages to towns for Navratri (Durga puja) called Garba accompanied by live orchestra, seasonal raga, or devotional songs. It is a folk dance celebrating Navratri (Durga puja) , where people of different background and skills join and form concentric circles. The circles can grow or shrink, reaching sizes of 100s, sometimes 1000s of people, dancing and clapping in circular moves, in their traditional costumes, at the same time. The garbadance sometimes deploys dandiyas , coordinated movements and striking of sticks between the dancers, and teasing between the genders on Navratri (Durga puja) . Post dancing, the group and the audience socializes and feasts together. Regionally, the same thematic celebration of community songs, music and dances on Navratri (Durga puja) is called garbi or garabi.

Durga Puja celebration gets a Gujarati twist.

 

 

Ahmedabad , the atmosphere in the city turns festive for all communities on Navratri (Durga puja) . The Bengali population gears up for Navratri (Durga puja) while Navratri (Durga puja) is celebrated with gusto by Gujaratis. But then, festivities mean sharing joy and goodwill, and if the plans for this year's Navratri (Durga puja) celebrations are anything to go by, the mingling of communities takes centre stage.

Ahmedabad Navratri (Durga puja) Celebration Committee, celebrating 73 years of 'Sharadotshav' , in a bid to open the festivities for every community, has invited Ahmedabad-based singers who will sing Rabindra Sangeet in Gujarati on Navratri (Durga puja).

"This year's Navratri (Durga puja) celebration is special as it is also 150 {+t} {+h} birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore on Navratri (Durga puja). We have invited singers like Sanchali Ghosh from Kolkata to sing Rabindra sangeet, and a few singers from Ahmedabad will even perform it in Gujarati," said Kanak Das Adhikary, honorary general secretary of the committee.This time, the Navratri (Durga puja) in Vastrapur will see 'idols', 'dholak' and 'bhog' prepared by trained professional artisans and cooks from Kolkata.
The Chandkheda Bengal Cultural Association starts their programme . "On this 21 year of celebrations, we decided on spreading the message of "oneness and harmony" among all religion, caste and creed," says AK Das, secretary of CBCA. On Bijoya Dashami, October 17, noted singer Jojo from Kolkata will perform for the Puja enthusiasts.


The vibes are palpable among devotees,"I am in Ahmedabad since 1962 and for me, puja in Ahmedabad is as good as back in Kolkata. I am a Gujarati at heart," says Mrinal Kanti Bhaumick, residing in Judges Bungalow.

NAVRATRI (DURGA PUJA) IN GUJARAT.