Daily routine life brings monotony in our lives and therefore we seek for some joy, celebration and excitement in life. Festivals serve the same purpose. Moreover India is the land of festivals; we have hundreds of festivals across India. Gujarat is the capital of India in terms of number of festivals and their celebrations. One of the most vibrant, most awaited, most energetic and most exciting festivals is Navratri.
Navaratri is a bunch of nine days, in fact nine nights, celebrated in honor of divine power of various forms of goddess. According to one anecdote from Ramayana, Shri Ram had fought the war against Ravana for 9 days and conquered over the evils on 10th day by killing Ravana; so in honour of this victory of truth and religion, this festival is celebrated. It is also believed that Emperor Ravana was the unbeatable and very powerful. Although Shri Ram was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, it was really tough for him to fight with him and defeat him; therefore Shree Ram worshipped the nine sources of power of goddess Durga – also known as Navdurga. Navdurga includes – Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghnta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kaal ratri, Maha gauri and Sidhhi – datri.
All above forms of goddess Durga have special significance in terms of various “ichha purti” of mankind. People do rite, fasting, chant special mantras during these days and try to please the goddess. Apart from the religious perspective, this festival has the cultural roots & economic aspects as well.
If we talk about cultural aspects, Navratri is the most popular and favorite festival of youth. People do garba – a special and unique Gujarati dance form. With the passage of time, this garba has also derived so many fusions, modifications and variations. Apart from Garba, now people also perform Dodhiyu, Popatiyu, Paanchiyu, Dasiyu, Raas, Ek taali, Be taali, etc and many more. Not only perform various dance forms, people wear special & traditional costumes and do traditional make up also. Youth is so crazy and fascinated about this festival. These Garba functions are organized in almost all streets, all societies, and all regions across the state. Apart from such informal arrangements, now days, they have been started being organized in a bigger way at big party plots, stadiums, farm houses, etc.
If we also try to have a look for the economical importance of this festival, there is huge revenue generated from this festival. People are here who spend thousands of rupees just for costumes – nine different costumes for each day, make up for male & female both for nine days, imitation jewellery & other props to be used for all days, the coaching fees of Garba classes running months before Navratri; specially designed diet plans during this festival to look young, attractive & energetic, the entry fees or season pass fees for reputed groups’ Garbaa arrangements, prizes & gift hampers worth lakhs of rupees; celebrity endorsement and their significance presence at the venue; professional photography & video shooting; live orchestra & artist singing & playing instruments, etc and a lot more things are associated with this wonderful festival. We can’t even imagine the figure of expense made behind this festival. Although it’s a seasonal employment, it makes so many people to earn their bread & butter for entire year.
The fame and shine of this wonderful festival has gone till Bollywood also. In every third or fourth movie, there is a song or scene based on Navratri theme. The tunes based on typical Guajarati Garbaas, songs & folklores have tremendously been popularized. Even the NRG – Non Residential Gujaratis, specially come to India just to enjoy and celebrate this festival. If they can’t come then they arrange this festival wherever they are living. Thus, this wonderful festival has crossed the boundaries of the nation and given our culture a proud recognition on a global platform.
With commercialization, the festival has become more a social festival and a get together for young people rather than merely a religious one. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Goddess Durga, as they indulge in the celebrations of Navratri, year by year.
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