Navratri in Gujarat – Dus Mahavidya Puja and Dandiya Raas

Durga Navratri is the most celebrated festive season in Gujarat. It involves in Durga Puja along with Dus Mahavidya pooja, Dandiya and Garba dances. Rasleela is the main event during Navratri in the state of Gujarat. Gujaratis consider Navratri as their second largest festival after Sri Krishna Janmashtami. But culturally, Navratri remains on top for the people of the state, as they celebrate the festival in rocking atmosphere of Dandiya and Garba dances.

Though, Navratri in Gujarat is dedicated to Goddess Ambaji, also known as Ambika or Amba, Navadurga, nine aspects of Goddess Durga, are also worshipped during Navratri along with Dasamahavidya, ten Supreme Tantrik Goddesses. The nine avatars worshipped during the festival are – Amba, Tara, Shorashi (Lalita), Bhuvaneshwari, Chinnamasta, Bhairavi, Dhumavathi, Bagalamukhi and Matangi.

Another important aspect of Navratri celebrations in Gujarat is the concept of colours. During the festival, a particular colour of sari or dress is worn by women on particular day. The Goddess of the day and the colour of that day will change year to year.

Durga Navaratri is celebrated with utmost devotion in Ambaji temple, powerful Shakti Peeth, in Gujarat. Several lakhs of devotees throng to the temple even from abroad during these days and offer puja to the Goddess.

In Ahmedabad, Baroda (Vadodara), Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar Navratri celebrations may reach to the peak as these cities are financially sound and culturally well developed.

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