Hello Connect…
In this post I want to describe “Navratri” (Nav = Nine & Ratri = Nights in Sanskrit) – the celebrations & its importance.
Today (October 2nd, 2019) is the fourth day of Navratri festival in India. I know I am late in posting this post by 3 days. But the main reason is, as per Guajarati calendar, today is my birthday; so, I am very happy to share the importance of this festival in Gujarat, on this day; this festival is celebrated not only in Gujarat, but also, all over India.
If you observe the cover photo, the left side ‘pot’ it is called “GARBO”. Garbo is brought to our home, on the first day of Navratri and we will be worship for nine days. The immersion is on the 10th day, which is known as ‘Dashera’.
Garbo (an earthen pot) is a symbol of universe. There are 27 pores in the pot - 9 pores in 3 lines - 27 pores symbolises 27 constellation. Each constellation has 4 phases (27 * 4 = 108). During Navratri, keeping the earthen pot in the center, and moving around it in circles, is believed as we are moving around the universe. This is the significance of playing ‘Garba’ (a form of Dance, described, later).
Navratri is a famous and sacred festival of nine nights for the Hindu community of India, which is dedicated to Goddess Shakti. The forms of Goddess Shakti are Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. This goddess is worshiped with great zeal and joy during the nine good nights, all over India. Navratri festival can be held for one day less or one day longer depending on Hindu calendar.
Navratri festival is celebrated in different ways all over India and around the world. In West Bengal and Gujarat, Navratri is the most famous festival of the year. After Durga Puja, people dance and enjoy ‘Garba’ and ‘Dandiya Ras’ in groups. Women dressed in vibrant ‘Chaniya Cholis’ and men dressed in ‘Kediya’ can be seen zealously enjoying long nights of Garba and Dandiya for nine nights.
Garba is performed to different beats that are played in a progressive tempo. The most popular Garba forms include Raas, Bey Taali, Tran Taali, Dodhy, Hinch, Ghodho Khundvo,(different style of dance during these days) etc. Of these, the most notable is the Raas, which is believed to have been performed by Lord Krishna with his Gopis and consort Radhaji.
Why Navratri is Celebrated:
Among the legends of Navaratri are Devi Durga and Lord Ram. After nine days of fighting and on the tenth day, Goddess Durga got victory over demon Mahisasur. This festival marks the victory of good over evil. This tenth day of victory is known as Vijayadashami (Dussehra).
Another legend of Navatri is that Lord Ram, who wanted to get the blessings of Goddess Durga, before beginning the war with Ravana, worshipped nine aspects of Goddess Durga for nine days to collect the strength and the power.
Thank you @ermest for giving chance through your @TeamChallange and #TeamIndia, to sharing information about my country. special thanks to my team leader @TravellerG . As always my post is covered with slide show of photograph this time also I would love to prepare it, but with photos send by you all. So my request to you is to send me at least one photo of Navratri celebration around you, so we can merge Navratri celebration around the world. I hope you all will try to post one photo for me.
My special thanks go to @NareshDarji for motivating me to publish this post.
Regards Tejal.
