Navratri 2010 Commences From Tomorrow
By Naiwrita Sinha, Gaea News NetworkThursday, October 7, 2010
NEW DELHI, INDIA (Gaea Times.com)- The nine day festival of Navratri is commencing from tomorrow, Oct 8, 2010. “Nav” means nine and “ratri” means night, this translates into the festival of “nine nights”. Though the festival is associated with Durga, the festival worships the nine forms of “Shakti” on the nine nights. The nine forms of shakti are Durga, Bhadrakali, Jagdamba, Annapurna, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani and Mookambika. Navratri begins each year according to calculations based on the lunar calendar. The festival ends on the tenth day, known as Dussehra. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and gusto but the tradition has some variations to it, depending on the region where it is celebrated.
It is a common practice for the people of North India to fast throughout Navratri. Though some worshipers only fast on the first and the ninth day of the festival. South Indians have a unique style of celebrating the festival. They arrange an exhibition of various dolls and figurines of Durga in step pattern, known as “Golu” in their respective homes. West Bengal is known for its extraordinary pandal work during the festivals. Many competitions are held with the intent of honoring the creativity of the pandal designers, 2010 is likely to witness some good pandal work. Gujratis all over the country are known for their ” Garba” and “Dandiya- Rass” Dance.
“Dandiya dance” is an immensely popular custom and is held by many clubs throughout the country during Navratri. Though it is a Gujrati tradition, it is no longer limited to the Gujrati people and non-Gujratis also take part in it. Many clubs have come out with passes for Dandiya nights in 2010. The festival is also celebrated by Indians living abroad, especially in UK and USA.
