Ahmedabad is the city of joy and celebration. And one of the most favorite festivals of all Amdavadies is just a day away! Yes, you guess it right. I am talking about the identity of the Gujarat, the festival of Navratri. Garba is the heart of the Gujarat and the state is not complete without Garba and Dandiya. Navratri is the most celebrated festival across the world by Gujarati people. Ahmedabad is famous for celebrating the Navratri in its unique style.
Festival of Navratri
Devoted to Goddess Shakti, the Navratri festival is celebrated with gaiety and fervor. The main highlight of the festivity of nine nights is the Garba. It is a folk-dance form of the Gujarat that represents the culture of the state. Each day of the fiesta begins with the performance of Aarti. The entire state gets energized with the thought of celebrating the Navratri festival.
People perform the Garba around the statue of Goddess Shakti. That carried out till midnight. The dancers usually make use of Dandiya, i.e. long wooden sticks, to play Garba. During this nine days long festivity, the city of Ahmedabad is beautifully decorated with colorful lights. Navaratri is the festival of nine nights. It is world’s longest dance festival when people get to gather in the common ground and play Garba all night.
The next day after Navratri festival is Dussehra that is observed to celebrate the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon Ravan. This is how the Navratri festival is celebrated in Ahmedabad, India.
What better place you can find to enjoy Navratri than in Ahmedabad. Many passionate followers prepare for the festival months in advance, learning new steps, readying different traditional dresses for all nine days and participating all nine nights at the most happening venues.
Over 100 small and big venues over and above society-level and street garbas are ready for enthusiasts of all ages with innovative themes, celebrities and prizes worth lakhs on offer. Given the popularity of the festival, most venues will have garbas on Dusshera, as well.
During the nine days of Navratri, the city of Ahmedabad dons the look of a bejeweled bride elated with festivities all around. The days are quiet but as soon as first streetlight is switched on, young men and women dressed in their finest traditional outfits swarm the roads berserk with excitement. Almost everybody on the streets is seen heading to a nearby Garba ground.
Glimpse of traditional garba
You will spot hundreds of Garba dancers relishing down at Manek Chowk food Bazaar after playing Garba. You will also be able to see what the locals in Gujarat call, Sheri Garba over here. You will realize the traditional form of Garba that was performed without of any orchestra or Bollywood music. These garbas are organized in small lanes and pols (a housing system indigenous to Ahmedabad) of old Ahmedabad and is a more intimate affair much like the garbas of Bhuj with local singers singing traditional songs and very often families and friends catching up with each other.
Manek Chowk, Bhadra Fort, and Teen Darwaza are placed in the ‘Old City’ where most of the Sheri Garba events are held in Ahmedabad. These events are not organized on a mass scale but the fervor of the Garba is at its zenith here. You can visit some of the famous Places to enjoy Garba nights like Karnavati Club, GMDC ground, Riverfront, Rajpath Club and much more.
Fact About Navratri Festival
Timing: People celebrate Navaratri by playing Garba and Dandiya from 8 to 12 pm but in many cities and village it lasts till morning 6 or 7 am.
Duration: Navaratri means nine nights. The festival remains nine days and 10th as Vijaya Dashmi or Dashera.
Dedicated to: Hindu Goddess Durga and her nine-different form
Main Attraction: The major attraction is Decorated Temples, Colorful Chaniya Cholis, Garba, Dandiya, Aarti and Durga Idols.
Significant: Navaratri is performed to celebrate the winning of Goddess Durga over Demon Mahisasur.
Who comes: Many talented Garba players come from the different state of India and also native people come to their village during Navaratri.
Special traditional Clothes for both genders:
Women
The Chaniya choli: Women wear embellished chaniya cholis for the dance. These cholis are heavily embellished with beads, mirror work, embroidery, and shells and so on.
Ghagra: Colorful long skirts are worn with the cholis. These ghagras are also adorned with embroidery and mirrors. They are usually in contrasting colors and with a dupatta.
Accessories: Traditional accessories like Kadas, Jhumkas, maang-tikas are worn with this attire. kamarbandh and payal are also worn by the Gujarati women.
Special Tattoos and accessories for Navratri
Men
Kediyu: This garment is worn by men during the dance. It is a short kurta with a flare at the bottom. It is embellished just like the chaniya choli with mirrors and embroidery
Kafni Pyjamas: These pajamas are loose and breathable. Men wear it with the kediyu. The attires are usually bright with red forming the major color influence.
Extra Ordinary for both genders like Matching with your Partner, Get a tattoo done, Try desi jewelry, Try Ramleela look by Women, Try Garba with Umbrellas over the head, Manjiras in hands, Maa’s Garbo & Religious Symbols on the head and evergreen Dandiyas, Paghadi look.
Shopping Spots
All the major shopping areas of Ahmedabad are filled with colorful Navratri clothing and accessories. Here are some of the best places from where you can shop from.
Street shopping
This is the most preferred way to shop for Navratri and Ahmedabad has many famous places where street shopping can be done:
Law Garden
This is one of the famous landmarks of Ahmedabad where makeshift shops of traditional dresses for men, women & children and jewelry are available throughout the year. All that which is in style this year will be available, but one needs to bargain heavily to be able to get the best deal. Law Garden is also famous for its street food which is available at stalls adjacent to the shopping lane. So, once you are done with your shopping you can relish some yummy food.
Nehru Nagar
The set-up at Nehru Nagar is similar to Law Garden and one can find in-style chaniyacholis, traditional attire for men, cute traditional dresses for children and stylish neck pieces and other jewelry. Bargaining is a must here as well.
As we all know, WapuuBa is crazy for Garba. She is very much excited for the Navaratri so as our own WapuuBha. They both are ready to rock the Grabra plots this Navratri. If you are planning to visit #WCAhmedabad and visit the city during the Navratri, I am telling you that it will be the lifetime experience for you.
Get ready and pack your bags to experience world’s biggest dancing festival at Ahmedabad. We are all excited to see you at #WCAhmedabad.
એ હાલો …
Write in comment if you are as excited as us for Navratri 2017