At the end of every year, we see a number of festivals taking place that is celebrated with great joy by people of every community. Navratri festival is one such festival that witnesses the entire city along with the Gujarati community celebrating this festival with utmost interest that gives a sense of joy and fulfilment. Not only the state of Gujarat, but also the city of Mumbai dances to the beat of Garba and Dandiya!
Happy Navratri Festival | Image Resource : hdlatestimages.com
Navratri is a 9-day festival that is observed among Hindu community and it is performed for the Hindu deity Goddess Durga. The word Navratri means “nine nights” in Sanskrit. On each day of the festival, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
Goddess Durga | Image Resource : adishakti.org
The state of Maharashtra celebrates the festival of Navratri with great fun and revelry. During each of nine days, the puja or vandana is performed by ornamenting the Goddess deity with fresh garland and on the tenth day the garland is taken off and the deity is immersed.
For every Maharashtrian, this festival is the best time to initiate any new thing since they consider this festival as very auspicious. They consider big investments like buying a new house or a new car. Females of the house invite their female friends to their homes and gift them with a coconut, beetle leaves and betel nuts. The gesture of applying Haldi and kumkum to the foreheads of the married female friends is done as a part of the occasion. Also, people invite young girls to their house and offer them food of their choice.
For Mumbaikars, every festival is a big celebration and they celebrate with pure dedication and fun. You will find each and every locality of Mumbai having arranged its own Garba and Dandiya nights and the whole family drenches itself in the festive spirit. Irrespective of which culture one belongs to, you will find every individual engrossed in the celebration. Various clubs and community grounds are booked for the purpose. You will find that in the city of Mumbai, along with the traditional music, people also love to dance on a fusion of remixed beats and groovy Hindi music.
Garba at essel world mumbai | Image Resource : indiadestinationsblog.wordpress.com
The festival of Navratri that is celebrated with song, dance and merriment sees many Bollywood stars and celebrities gracing different venues during the nine days. Their presence cheers up the crowds and make the moment more memorable for the people. The celebrities participate in the grand puja and also join for Garba and Dandiya!
Dandiya at mumbai navratri festival | Image Resource : dealsandyou.com
This year, 2015, the Navratri falls from 13th October to 22nd October. In Mumbai, almost every housing society arranges for Navratri celebration where people pray to the deity and also enjoy Garba and Dandiya Raas with their loved ones. Also, popular venues are booked where you can go and enjoy with your friends and family. If you wish to participate in Garba and Dandiya raas, there are certain famous locations where you can contact the organizers for your participation.
Dandiya Queen Falguni Pathak is the Madonna of Gujju Garba nights at Mumbai | Image Resource : fireflydaily.com
The popular venues of Mumbai are as follows:-
- Goregaon Sports Club, Link Road, Malad (W)- Sankalp Dandiya Navratri Group
- MHADA Ground, Malvani, Malad (W)- Musa Paik Navratri Utsav
- Kora Kendra Ground, Borivali (W)- Kora Kendra Navratri Mahautsav
- Malpani Ground, Link Road, Borivali (W)- Meera Navratri Utsav
- Jasodha Rang Mandir, Vile Parle (West) – First Road Navratri Mahotsav
- Somaiya College Ground, Vidyavihar (East) – Ghatkopar Gujarati Samaj
- EsselWorld, Madh Island
- Bhavan’s College Ground, D N Nagar Road, Andheri (West)
- Police Hockey Ground, Near Eastern Express Highway, Ghatkopar (East) – Wadhwa Raas
- Tulip Star Hotel, Juhu Tara Road
- Kamgar Krida Mandal, Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Dadar (West) – Broadscope
- Cricket Club Of India, Churchgate
This festival brings people closer to each other and thus brings peace and harmony among the citizens. The festival is nearing, so grab soon colourful and ethnic traditional clothes and get ready to enjoy during the festival. Invite all your loved ones to participate in the colourful festival and dance to the beat of music!
Magnificent Maharashtra 