An inseparable part of the identity of Gujarat, the nine nights of Navratri are an auspicious occasion that commemorates the worship of Divine Mother Goddess and her numerous manifestations. It is a kaleidoscopic beauty of pure happiness and magical glory - a time of the year when you fast during the day and dance non-stop the night through. It is a celebration, when millions of young hearts throb with excitement and vivacity, while the older generation is full of devotion.

The festival of Navratri over the years has become a cultural tradition binding all sections and communities across the state. A festival that spreads vibrance, harmony and joy. It is an opportunity to savour the state in her finest best.

The Mythology
The festival of Navratri occurs four times in a year in the bright half of Magh, Chaitra, Ashadh and Ashvin. In fact, it can be celebrated in an identical manner in all these fourmonths. But the one celebrated from the first to ninth date of Ashvin Shukla Paksh of the Hindu Calendar (this year in mid-october) is considered the principal and most popular, which the Goddess herself is said to have favoured, according to Saptashati (the religious book of Shaktas having 700 verses of the Markandeya Purana).

Navratri is celebrated throughout Gujarat in three ways: at Mataji's temples, in individual households and at public places in every city, town and village by thousands of people - men, women and children - through drumbeats, dance and dandia (wooden lacquered sticks). While ritualistic aspect predominates the first two modes of celebrations, the social and cultural aspects are visible vibrantly in the last.

The nine days are sacred and dedicated to the worship of nine Goddesses, all various forms of one Divine Mother or force which supports the entire universe, protects her worshippers, destroys evil and grants boon to her children. The days are divided and devoted to the Trinity of the Goddess, worshipped as the manifestation of Maha Shakti. Three days are of Durga, the Goddess of valour; three days of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and three days of Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and art.

Customs & Traditions
The garbo, a perforated earthen pot with lighted lamp within it, signifying knowledge, is placed at the centre of a village, lanes or streets where brightly dressed women, men and children move around it singing and playing a folk dance called garba. Moving around a circle in a garba, indicates the never-ending cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction phases of supreme reality.

Dance, Devotion, Drumbeats
The most fascinating and colourful celebration of Navratri are the dance forms garba and dandia raas characterized by synchronised, vigorous yet graceful movements executed to vibrant music.

Dancing away to rhythmic drumbeats offering devotion to the Goddesses are women in bright coloured chaniya cholis, cotton skirts and tops, that are hand embroidered, embedded with mirrors, shells and anything that goes with it. The men, in keeping pace with their dancing partners, are dressed in Kedia - a traditional high waist top that has a different feel and looks great when the gathering on it swirls while the men dance in circles.

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