Garba Begins Today with Joy and a Great Enthusiasm in Rajkot

RAJKOT, Date :- 28/09/2011 :

Navratri is a great Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri means nine nights, during these nine nights and ten days nine forms of Shakti or Devi is worshiped. While the tenth day is referred as Vijyadashmi or Dashera. This festival represent the celebration of goddess Durga Ma the manifestation of divinity in form of Shakti or Energy or Power.

With reference to the old calendar this festival comes to the month Aasho or Asvina. And there are 9 forms of power or Shakti Durga the inaccessible, Bhadrakali, Ambaa or Jagdamba, Annpurnadevi, Sarvamangala, Bhairvi, Chandrakanta or Chandi, Lalita, Bhavani, Mookambika. In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. Since the past few years, the Government Of Gujarat has been organising the "Navratri Festival Celebrations" on a regular basis for the nine days of Navratri Festival in Gujarat. People from all over Gujarat and even abroad come to participate in the nine days celebrations. It is also popular throughout India and among Indian communities around the world including the UK and USA.

The story behind Navaratri is one extolling the power of the Goddess. According to the most common version, from the Markandeya Purana, a vastly powerful demon called Mahishasura had the cunning to be dedicated and patient in his tapas. He performed austerities for countless years, excelling in self-control and cold astuteness. Eventually, he gained a boon from God Siva, that no man or God would ever defeat him.

In Rajkot, now days the traditional Garbas are very popular among the new generation. Racecourse, Dharmendrasinhji College, Virani High school will be the host for traditional Garba Utsava. These upcoming ten days of Navaratri will be enjoyed in Rajkot with a great passion and devotion and affection of a little madness.

Courtesy by: Divyabhaskar