Dhol bhaje re

Pick up those sticks and gear up for dandiya and garba, Gujarati style. Navratri brings together and binds all in a colourful bond.

“For us, the Gujarati community, worshiping goddess Ambe Maa, fasting and dancing to the tunes of dandiya and garba are a package deal, which we look forward to celebrate every year. Each day, a different avatar of Maa Durga is worshiped and we offer different prasad each day, too,” says Anjani Shah, vice president, Sanskriti Club.

According to Anjani, the eighth day or Ashtami is the most auspicious one, when they perform a havan at home and offer Suhag Pitari (bag carrying all the signs of marriage) to the Goddess. This ritual is observed to ask the Goddess to grant a long life to their husbands.

Shivani Shroff, socialite, further highlights the rituals for these nine days. “The day before Dashami, we do shastra puja to avoid any sort of trouble and to safeguard our businesses,” she explains, adding, “Apart from this, the main highlight of our puja is to offer Chana-Puri-Sheera as prasad and offer it to nine young girls.”

According to Zeny Momaya, who organises one of the well-known dandiya and garba events in the city, Gujaratis place a Garbi (diya inside a decorated matka), gather around it and play Garba. “We also try to wear matching coloured clothes as the Goddess is dressed for that day, along with the traditional red chunni,” says Zeny.