Celebration of Navaratri in Gujarat
Introduction
Navratri lasts long for nine days in Gujarat. It is held twice in a year. One is held in the month of April and the other is held in September or October. The festival runs for nine days. Many people fast during theses nine days. Many dance, sing, pray and fast to get blessings. In many parts of India Garba and Dandiya, a traditional form of Gujarat is organized. Especially in Gujarat it is celebrated in a grand way. People gathered in the corner of the street, schools, colleges, in field and even in the club to perform Garba and Dandiya. Everyone in Gujarat become the part of this dance form. This continues nine days, ends in the eve of Dusshera, when Goddess Durga defeats the demon, and Rama killed Ravana.
Navratri the festival of nine days
As like other festival people do yajnas (sacrificial fires) in this festival no such chants are performed. People simply burst in dance and celebrate the Navratri festival. No other country celebrates this festival in a grand way as it is celebrated in Gujarat. In Gujarat it lasts for nine days and nights and people gathered and dedicated their prayers to nine avatars of Goddess Amba, which is known as the God of power. Each day people gather and perform the Garba dance. They are all dressed in colorful dresses. This beauty could not be found in other states.
People of Gujarat also participate in the drama which is called "Bhavai" is performed only by the male artists. People of Gujarat go for fasting for nine days and on the tenth day they break their fast by eating "sweet jalebi" and"fafda" a very popular dish of Gujarat. Not every moment can be describe in words. It would be better if any one visits Gujarat during Navratri and could be the eyewitness of this very beautiful festival. Therefore, visit Gujarat and be a part of this beautiful festival.
The dress and ornaments shops
On this occasion people of Gujarat, prefer to wear chaniya-choli. During the Garba, dance women wear beautiful chaniya-choli and men wear kafni pajamas with short kurta. During Navratri, most of the shops in Gujarat sell chaniya-choli. People rush to the shop to purchase the colorful and decorative chaniya-choli. Some famous shop, which sells this dress material are 'Aso Palav', 'Deepkala', 'Rupkala', 'Radhika Stores' situated in Ahmadabad, Surat and Vadodara. Men's wear could be found in the shop known as 'Jade Blue'. Bandhej chaniya-choli are also very famous. One could also purchase the complete set of dress for the Garba from the famous shop of 'Ratan Poll' situated in the city of Ahmadabad.
Many other markets such as Ajanta shopping centre and many small and large boutique stores are also famous for the Garba dress. One could also purchase the beautiful and decorative dandiya sticks from 'Ramakda Market' very near to Teen Darwaja in Ahmadabad. During Navratri, the place where the Garba and Dandiya dance are organized many food stalls are set up temporarily which are opened until midnight and people enjoy the food from the stalls.
Rhythmic dance form
On Navratri, people perform the folk dance of Gujarat. Many competitions are also organized where skilled dancers perform the folk dance. Famous folk dance includes Garba, Dandiya, Bhavai, Tippani and Hudo. These are very musical and energetic and it reflects the true color of vibrant Gujarat. Men and women look beautiful in their colorful Garba dress. The women of Gujarat perform Garba. They gathered together round in a circle and perform this dance style. They lit a fire in the middle and dance around the fire. This fire is dedicated to mother God. Garba generally derived from the Sanskrit word. The meaning simply stands to light a fire inside the pot. The women perform various dance style. They had a good sense of balancing the pot on their head and with that balance they beautifully perform the dance. Men and women took part in the Dandiya where they beat the sticks of Dandiya on each other stick.
Beside Dandiya other folk dance are also performed such as Raasda where both men and women took part. They clap their hands, move their feet in a rhythmic beats of the drum. Tippani is performed with the beating of the sticks to the ground. The women perform the dance with the 'matkis' earthen pot balancing on their head. Then the 'Bhavai' is performed which, is a type of drama performed by the men of the community known as 'Nayak Community'.
Conclusion
Navratri of Gujarat is very famous worldwide. Many tourist flowing to Gujarat during these festival and enjoy the beauty of Gujarat during these nine days. The tourist also joins in the Garba dance and enjoys the day. It shows Gujarat culture and its heritage. People who travel Gujarat during this festival carry along with them the message of the states holy culture and its tradition.
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