If you follow the best tourist places in India and look for directions to these places to know, you may have heard of Gujarat Navratri Festival that attracts people from all over the world to appreciate the beauty of Indian culture that is present in this important festival for its people. A
As an introduction to the subject we can tell you that the festival takes place on 9 nights that are not only prayers but are full of demonstrations of culture and tradition that its residents live intensely with a festival full of joy, dance and music for you to appreciate and even participate with a lot of tradition and modernity at the same time in a mix of times with a unique beauty that crosses generations and is present to this day.
In addition, one of the points that most draws attention to the festival is the gastronomic variety that is found with the most famous Indian dishes made in a special way that only the residents of Gujarat manage to make with their local spices attracting people to taste a delicious gastronomy and have an immersion in a wealth of flavours.
Navratri festival of Gujarat and its meaning
To begin our story, we will portray a very important point that is the significance of Navratri that goes far beyond just music and dance being a point of connection between people and their beliefs that surpass generations and millennia with a rich and powerful tradition.
Starting even by the name that gave rise to the festival since Navratri literally means ‘9 nights’ and already brings a meaning of religious origin in which it is believed that these 9 days are the time when the earth and people are ready for a change and a new beginning.
This tradition brings two important meanings and one of them is to remember the courageous battle of the goddess Durga against a demon named Mahishasura and to this day people cheer for this goddess and celebrate this battle with pride and devotion.
Another important meaning is also that of agriculture since as we mentioned before these 9 days mean restart and this is also important for the plantations where farmers plant and ask that these plantations give good fruits and are good for local agriculture if making a connection also between people and the land reiterating the meaning of the festival.
Navratri in Gujarat and the Garba dance
Now a little deeper into the culture of this festival, we will talk about one of the main points of the festival that is the Garba dance that they say is where the magic happens and makes you want to come back always to witness this festival.
In the Garba dance, the women dress in vibrant and vivid colors and clap their hands in a beat of the drum beats with the local songs in a circular form forming a swirl of energy in a unique vibration that leaves the atmosphere out of the ordinary with a surreal feeling of life and joy, which in itself is a reason enough to know the festival hahaha.
In honor of the goddess Durga, people dance this dance as a gift to the goddess in a mesmerizing show form for those who are watching and witness the dancers spinning in a unique and beautiful rhythm in each movement and each circle that is formed in this dance is like a gift to the goddess and becomes the center stage and attractions during the festival celebrating devotion, tradition and of course, unity of the people present.
So when Navratri arrives in Gujarat, Garba takes center stage. It’s not just a dance; it’s a feeling of togetherness, devotion and the beauty of tradition in a lively, circular celebration.
The Dandiya Raas in Gujarat Navratri Festival
And now, slightly different from our last topic, Let’s have Dandiya Raas which is also a form of dance but in the form of battle in which people use wooden sticks called dandiyas to compose the show between men and women join in partnership dancing in the rhythm of music composing a single dance and party.
The most interesting thing here that attracts so many tourists to visit and enjoy this battle is that men and women move in harmony in a perfect combination of steps with their partners and the beat of each dandiya makes the music more harmonious and perfectly matches occasion and the festival being an indescribable sound show beyond clear, visual, because women also wear traditional chaniya cholis that are adorned with mirrors and bright and vibrant colors that turns the battle into a real spectacle.
With the passage of time, the music becomes even more intense and the dance accompanies it in one rhythm and the environment becomes more electric causing the audience to increase more and more to admire the beauty of the celebration
The Music of Navratri
We’ve talked a lot about dance and music, but what kind of music is Navratri? In fact, the music is quite unusual with rhythmic beats made on traditional instruments like the drum and wind instruments that make these rhythmic beats uniquely transforming the atmosphere around you harmonious and the center of attention hahaha.
These instruments have been part of the cultural heritage of Gurujat for many years and during the dances they are as a form of demonstration and appreciation also the goddess, which demonstrates the rich cultural tradition of the place.
In addition, the tabla also offers unique and special rhythms that accompany the graceful movements of the dancers as they feel the music in a special way through art, sound and movement in which the three together make everything more special haha.
However, very different from tabla, Shehnai has sweeter and more melodious melodies and notes compared to tabla and also brings a special essence to music making people also celebrate the harmony of the sounds of each instrument, with the dancing and dressing of the people present.
Delectable Navratri cuisine
And now for one of the favorite topics of many people, the gastronomy of Navratri! The local gastronomy deserves a dedicated space just to talk about it because the food is delicious made with plants served in a special way that we can only taste and taste there.
Starting with the Sabudana Khichdi, which is served in a bowl that will transform your palate, the local restaurants and stalls also offer the Fafda which is crispy and special in every bite, in addition to the famous sweet Dhokla for lovers of goodies that make your taste buds dance with joy at every bite.
During the Navratri, everyone stops eating meat or fish and the foods are actually made from plants transformed into colorful meals that are complemented with delicious local spices and the tradition of fasting during the festival in a way respectful of tradition and if you plans to visit Gujarat Navratri and respect this tradition and experience it completely, do not forget that on our website wowtickets.com you will find the best prices on air tickets or through our application of cheap airfare allowing you to experience these incredible moments with affordable values for you to enjoy your trip.
Navratri decorations and ambiance
And if you are curious to know how is the decoration of the environments, we can inform you that everywhere are like vivid and bright paintings of unforgettable moments with the most varied colors and lights transforming all environments into true movie scenes.
Starting with the walls that are ornamented with different types and style of rangoli, hand-drawn with bright and living powders in the form of patterns and true works of art that speak to the public and generate a connection with each one present there. In addition, you will witness lantern lights called ‘Kandils’ that leave the environment even more illuminated and enchanted.
In the solo part, you will have a fresh clay cover that leaves everything prepared for the dance, celebrating the connection of being with the land in a special tradition during the event and the days that occur.
Attending the event you will be enchanted by every detail and will be able to experience one of the most beautiful cultures in the world with your scarves, Ankle bells that are called ”ghungroos” and marvel at the seduction of the event that will make you want to return more often to the site to experience and new.
The spirit of unity and community
And as you can see so far, this event is so special that during its days, all residents collaborate and experience it in an intense and magical way in a true spirit of unity and communion between residents and tourists who will witness this magic too.
An interesting fact about the celebration is that the hospitality and kindness of its participants is so great that usually you do not need to meet people or even know their name to start dancing in rhythmic songs and still you will have a friendly atmosphere where no one is left out and music is what unites them and guides making even some people become friends during the festivity in a very random way.In an electric and energizing environment, you will witness the smiles of strange people where all dance together and live the celebration in a special way making the Best Navratri in Gujarat, unique and special for all tourists so that those who witness are unable to forget.
Dussehra: living the best Navratri in Gujarat
And by the end of the festival you can see that the excitement and energy of the people reach their peak in Dussehra which is considered a day of glory and symbolism celebrated with a vibrant energy where every place comes to life.
On the day of Dussehra, the streets are more colorful than before and huge statues of the goddess Durga parade through the streets with ornaments, flowers and drums to announce the arrival with devotional songs that echo throughout the city leaving the atmosphere with a dizzying energy and if you think it’s over is because you do not know that the effigies of Ravana (the ten-headed demon king) are burned in public becoming one of the most anticipated moments of the festival and leave all present fascinated with the beauty of the event to its end symbolizing the defeat of evil by the kindness in which the audience cheerfully and happily applauds.
Usually this part of the presentation takes place during the night and the light of the calls brings hope to those present there and enlivens the faith of people who also celebrate the power of good over evil.
And finally, when the beats and sounds are silent the event comes to an end with a renewal for all residents who follow their lives and routines in a renewed way thanking the event witnessed and the wonderful memories that will remain in memory and can never be forgotten.
Navratri 2024 date Gujarat
And for you who want to experience this celebration too, this year in 2024 the event will take place from October 3 (Thursday) and will extend until October 12 (Saturday). You can witness this Hindu festival and even take the opportunity to arrive a few days before and get to know this place that will surprise you.
Talking about this celebration is surreal because as you could see it is a unique event that involves more than dances and songs, it is about faith, spirituality, culture, dances, music and a lot of unity between those involved that make Gujarat a place to visit.
And if you are also enchanted by what we have talked so far, do not forget that here on our website wowtickets.com you will find the best prices on airline tickets as well as on our application for cheap tickets also allowing you to travel to India or anywhere in the world in an affordable way. And for your next adventure we wish you Bon Voyage!
