Navratri and Dushhera

Navratri and Dusshera

Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in autumn (October/November). It lasts for a grand total of nine nights (Nav means nine and ratra means night). On the ninth night, Goddess Durga is worshipped in a Durga Puja.

Personally, I love Navratri as a reason to get together with my friends and celebrate the nine nights DANCING! Starting in the early evening, Hindus from all over the city gather in a huge hall where a large murti is stood in the centre. We dance around the murti, celebrating with friends and family.

The dances that are most popular are called Garba and Dandiya Raas. Most Hindus know how to dance these, especially in England, as Navratri is one of the festivals, which everyone can understand and join in. Garba and Dandiya are folk dances that originate from Gujarat in West India. They are group dances. Garba is danced in a huge layered circle around the murti and there are many small groups doing their own little dance steps that join together to make a big group.

Dandiya is a dance that can be done in either a double circle or in rows. Normally, to save space most probably, it is done in two rows. Two rows of people face each other and as the music starts, slowly at first, the people interact with their partners and with those on either side of them with intricate steps (or simple if that is preferred), before moving the rows along in opposite directions so that you have a different partner. Dandiya involves hitting sticks together in a beat. It looks like a mock battle/dance with swords and in effect, that is what it is. The music in both garba and dandiya raas starts off slowly so that you can get used to it, but ends in a loud and frantic pace where only the younger people can keep up!

Everyone wears their best suits and dresses and come to enjoy the nights. It is a really good family event where children can be taught about Indian festivals and culture, not to mention…food! There are a few food stalls to keep up the energy for dancing!

On the day after Navratri, is Dushhera, the tenth day.

Dushhera is the day that Lord Rama defeated the evil demon or Rakshas, Ravana, who had kidnapped his wife, Sita.

The dandiya raas symbolise the swordplay that took place during the battle and everyone celebrates Ravana’s defeat on that day.

On Dushhera Day, it is common practice to congregate in a large open area and light fireworks or, for the benefit of the whole congregation, a huge firework display for celebration. A massive effigy, a statue or an image, is created of Ravana. Ravana was a terrifying demon with ten heads and twenty arms! To celebrate his death and defeat, the effigy is burnt and a huge bonfire is lit at night. It is a really grand sight and if there is one near you, then I would advise you to go and see it…Nowadays, it isn’t just fireworks and bonfires, there are also many stalls and food tables where many dishes and delicacies are sold from different parts of India. It is like a dinner and dance sort of thing (as there is a hall nearby normally) and really brings the community together.

Sources:

http://www.ahmedabadcity.com/tourism/html/navratri.html

Textbook, and experience

Here's a pic to entertain you!

I think it'll come up, if not then no matter!

Yay for the dancing! A very interesting read WL, well done - 50 points.