Navaratri is one of my most favorite Hindu festival. This year, Navaratri will be celebrated from 13th October to 21st October.
So what is Navaratri really? It, arguably, is the longest religious worship through rhythmic movements. It is the festival of nine nights when, through dance, the Goddess (the Female aspect of Divinity) is worshipped. Most people seem to have forgotten that it is not just a dance; it is a form of worship. In Gujarat, it is also called ‘Garba’. Garba comes from the word Garbha which literally means the womb. This festival is the celebration of the Shakti (The Primordial Power), the female aspect of creation that gives birth to the entire universe and sustains it.
Garba is performed in circles. The reasoning behind this is that the circle is a representative of the on-going, continuous cycle of birth and death. Just like the participants in the garba enter and leave the circle, in the same way people come and go in the circle of life. Irrespective of this, the circle continues.
The more I try to understand why we (Hindus) do what we do – be it any form of worship ritual, chanting, meditation – the more I realize how much we seem to have distanced ourselves from the true essence of worship. These days the value of garba during Navaratri appears to be reduced to wearing fancy folk attire and dancing to tunes that are not even devotional songs. It really pains me to hear the singer suddenly switch from singing a song in praise of Devi to singing ‘Pari hoon main.’ For real? Like really?
Now don’t get me wrong. I love Bollywood music. Just ask people who know me. But there’s a time and a place for it.
Here’s the thing, though. One of the best aspects of practicing Hindu worship rituals is its uniqueness. I struggle with trying to understand why do we have to ‘compromise’ our way of worship to essentially make it more appealing to others? Whoever these others are. The irony here is that most people who are not familiar with Navaratri are more than willing to learn about it. Everyone is welcome to join garba, provided they fully understand what they are really participating in. It’s only fair.
Year after year, I go for garba. I get frustrated. I come home and vent to all those who will listen. The following year, I go back again.
With almost every step I take during garba, I remind myself of what it really is all about. The moments are filled with awe and sincere devotion to That which is, which always will be.
Wishing everyone that celebrates this festival season, a very Shubh and Auspicious Navaratri. May Maa Ambe surround you all in Her Unconditional Love.
Until next time,
Namaste
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु बुद्धिरूपेण संस्थिता ।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥
yā devī sarva-bhūteṣu buddhi-rūpeṇa saṁsthitā |
namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
To that Devi Who in All Beings is Abiding in the Form of Intelligence,
Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her, Salutations again and again.
Shama Mehta 