It is quite often said that a family that prays together, stays together and Navratri is one the many Hindu festivals that affords families to gather around and offer prayers to the Devine Mother.
Navaratri, a nine day-long festival, is observed in many Indian states and other parts of the world with Indian influence. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated in the month of Ashvin, which typically falls in September and October, as per the Gregorian calendar. People all across the country, mainly in the northern and western regions, gear up for festival with new clothes, elaborate decoration, dances and fasts.
The word navratri is made up of the two words — ‘nav’ which nine and ‘ratri’ which means night — and is observed to celebrate the victory of Rama over Ravana. This year, Navratri begins on September 29 and ends on October 7, and the 10th day that is Vijayadashami and Dussehra falls on October 8.
According to a Hindu tradition, it is believed that there are three major forms in which Goddess Durga manifested herself, namely, Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali who are the active energies (Shakti) of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra respectively (without these goddesses the gods will lose all their powers).
These three forms of Durga further manifested in three more forms each, and thus emerged the nine forms of Durga, which are collectively called Navadurga or Nine Durgas. The nine manifestations of Maa Durga that are worshiped with fervor during Navratri, are believed to lift divine spirit in us to help us overcome obstacles and get liberated from unnecessary qualities to be filled with new freedom and purity.
Navratri is a time when families get together and worship the universal mother. It is a time when they renew their bonds and makes the promise to be there for each other no matter where life takes them. During the celebrations a plethora of pujas are performed and the mandirs are packed to capacity with families as they all join together in worship.
For many families, this period is one that brings peace into the homes and invokes a sense of calmness that sets the tone until the next Navratri.
In some parts of the Caribbean, Navratri is a special time for the youths especially since they get to show off their dancing skills through Garba.
Garba is a type of Indian dance commonly performed at festivals and on other special occasions in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a joyful style of dance, based on a circular pattern and characterized by a sweeping action from side to side.
Garba performances often include singing and a musical accompaniment traditionally provided by dhol (double-headed drum) and the similar but smaller dholak; hand clapping; and assorted metallic idiophones, such as cymbals.
Historically, the shehnai (a double-reed instrument) guided the singers, but by the early 21st century that instrument had largely been replaced by a synthesizer or harmonium.
Garba dances celebrate fertility, honour womanhood, and pay respect to any of an array of mother goddesses. In Gujarat the dances customarily mark a girl’s first menstrual cycle and, later, her imminent marriage. Although men may participate on some occasions, women are the typical performers of garba.
Garba is especially a big celebration in Trinidad with elaborate festivals during the Navratri period. Over in Guyana, there are smaller garba festivals that seeks to incorporate the family element into the celebration.
