Navratri!! The annual Navratri Utsav, or Festival of Nine Nights, provokes the cities of Gujarat into light, colour, dancing and music, during September-October. Navratri is held throughout Gujarat, at small villages as well as great cities. Amba Mata, the earth goddess bestowing strength and power against the forces of evil, enjoys special attention during Navratri by Puja in picsles and dances of the Ras Garba tradition. These dances normally begin at eleven at night and continue till dawn, at various sites, in different areas in each city.
Duha: Is in opening fast tracked song, at a very high pitch and after that the 'geet' follows! Men display an energetic form of dance synonymous with the tunes.
Raas: its roots lay from the days of Lord Krishna who played 'raas'on the shores of Yamuna river on a moonlit night with his beloved Gopis. The tradition still continues! Nowadays, men and women play in pairs with bamboo sticks called 'dandiya'.
Garba: Is a very graceful form of dance among the Gujaratis and it is performed on 9 nights, 'Navratri' to Goddess Ambica, where women dance gracefully in circles sometimes also using, 'Bedu, Kanjari' or just 'Taali' and 'Chapti' They are dressed in exquisitely embroidered, set in mirrors 'Choli', 'Ghagra' and 'Bandhani' dupattas, silver oxidised jewellery where in 'Tika' and 'Anklets' are a must! The dress code of men is Kehediyu, Chudidar and a Turban’
Aarti: Is sung in the beginning, genuflecting the Goddess. Prayers are offered and Prasies are sung and danced with diyas in hand.
Jaag: Is a slow paced dance where woman carry on their heads lamps lit in piecered pots. This form is associated with old traditions.
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