One can see the celebration on navratri in each an every place of Gujrat.......
It is the festival that brings forth the tradition and culture of India onto notice.....
'Nav' means 'nine' and 'ratri' means 'night'. Thus, 'Navratri' means 'nine nights'. There are many legends attached to the conception of Navratri like all Indian festivals. All of them are related to Goddess Shakti her various forms. It is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar, it holds special significance for Gujratis and Bengalis
and one can see it in the zeal and fervor of the people with which they indulge in the festive activities of the season. Dandiya and Garba Rass are thehighlights of the festival in Gujarat,
In older times, Navratri was associated with the fertility of Mother Earth who
feed us as her children.
The first three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga in red and mounted on a lion.
Her various incarnations - Kumari, Parvati and Kali - are worshipped during these days.They represent the three differentclasses of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.
Next three days are dedicated to GoddessLakshmi dressed in gold and mounted on an owl
and finally, last three are dedicated toGoddess Saraswati dressed in milky white and mounted on apure white swan. Sweetmeats are preparedfor the celebrations. Children and adults dress up in new bright-colored dresses forthe night performances.
In some communities, people undergo rigorous fasts during this season that lasts for the nine days of Navratri.The festival culminates on Mahanavami. On this day, Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nineforms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect forthe Goddess and then they areoffered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country. With
commercialization, the festival has moved on to be a social festival rather than merely a religious one. However, nothing dampens the spirit of the devout followers of Goddess Durga, as they sing
devotional songs and indulge in the celebrations of Navratri, year by year.
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