Navratri is a festival that is full of excitement, fun, garba, colors, and delicious fast food, a time when family and friends come together and celebrate. This year, due to COVID-19, we won't be able to celebrate it like we used to do before, but that does not mean we cannot adopt a new normal for the festivals as well. We can celebrate this colourful and fun festival on our own. So, let's learn about the significance of Navratri and why do we celebrate it, and what delicious food we can eat during these days.
When is Navratri Starting??
This year, Navratri falls from September 17, 2020, to September 25, 2020. Usually, there are four seasonal Navratri’s in a year, but the most celebrated one is this post-monsoon Navratri called Sharad Navratri. According to the Hindu calendar, Sharad Navratri is celebrated in the month of Ashvin, which according to the Gregorian calendar falls in September and October.
Why do We Celebrate Navratri??
The battle in which Goddess Durga defeated Demon Mahishasura is the story associated with the Navratri's nine days. Mahishasura was blessed with the immortality by Lord Brahma and had been told that only a woman can defeat him. And so, to rule the world he attacked Trilok (Earth, Heaven, and Hell), and no one including the Gods were able to defeat him. So, they went to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva and request them to help all. So, they created Goddess Durga, who will finally be able to defeat Mahishasura.
She fought for 15 days, but the demon kept changing his form. Finally, when Mahishasura turned into a buffalo, is when Goddess Durga killed him with her Trishul. Mahishasura was killed on the day of Mahalaya.
In the East and various parts of Northeast India, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja. Durga Puja symbolizes the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, signifying the victory of good over evil. In the Northern and Western parts of India, Ram Leela (the retelling of the Ramayana) is held, ending in Dusshera, where models of Ravana are set on fire to signify Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana.
The overarching theme of Navratri is the victory of good over evil. These nine days of Navratri are also a major crop season cultural event. People observe fast during Navaratri, and on the last day, they perform puja and break their fast.
Which Form of Goddess Durga is Celebrated on Which Day??
The word Navratri is descended from Sanskrit, meaning nine nights - Nava (nine) Ratri (night). On each day, a different form of Goddess Durga is celebrated:
1st Day: Goddess Shailputri
2nd Day: Goddess Brahmacharini
3rd Day: Goddess Chandraghanta
4th Day: Goddess Kushmanda
5th Day: Goddess Skandamata
6th Day: Goddess Katyayani
7th Day: Goddess Kaalratri
8th Day: Goddess Mahagauri
9th Day: Goddess Siddhidatri
Now that we know when is Navratri and why we celebrate it, let's learn about the fun part i.e., Garba and Food.
What is The Significance of Garba in Navratri??
Garba is a dance form originated in Gujarat, and it is performed at almost every occasion in Gujarat, especially during Navratri – a 9-day festival, that is dedicated to Goddess Durga—the feminine form of divinity and her nine forms, from the fierce sword-wielding Kaalratri to the smiling creator of the universe Kushmanda and we perform Garba to honour that form of divinity.
Garba and Dandiya are believed to be the dramatization of the fight that took place between the Goddess and the Demon Mahishasura. The sticks of the Dandiya represent the sword of Goddess Durga and that's the reason why this dance form is also known as ‘The Sword Dance’.
The word Garba is derived from the Sanskrit word Garbha, meaning womb. Traditionally, the dance was performed by the women in a circle around a clay lantern with a light inside, called a Garbha deep. This Garbha deep is a symbol of the body, within whom divinity in the form of the Goddess resides. The dancers move in circles making circular movements with their hands and feet, it represents the circle of life i.e., from life to death to rebirth, leaving only the Goddess Durga unmoved, unchanged and invincible.
Garba Attire
Women wear Chabiya Choli – a traditional Gujarati three-piece outfit comprising Choli, a Chaniya, which is a long-flared skirt with an embellished dupatta. All these are embellished with colorful designs and embroidery or the mirror. They team them up with Silver or Black Metal Necklaces, Big Earrings, Kamarband, Bajuband, Maang Tikka, and Juttis.
While the men who perform Garba wears a Kediyu, which comprises of a short round Kurta along with Kafni Pajamas and a Pagdi on their head. They pair those with Mojri or Nagra.
Food Recipes’ For Navratri:
1- Paneer Rolls:
Ingredients:
- 2 large boiled potato
- 2 cups of mashed paneer
- 1 green chili
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 7-8 Raisins
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tsp coriander leaves
- 2 tsp ghee
- Rock Salt to taste
Method:
- Take potatoes and paneer in a bowl and mashed them properly and then add green chili, ginger, cumin powder, rock salt, raisins, black pepper, cardamom powder, and coriander leaves.
- Mix the ingredients well and make a dough.
- Now make rolls out of the dough.
- Pan fry them until they are golden-brown with ghee.
- Serve them hot with any chutney you like.
2- Sabudana Kheer
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of sabudana
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1-liter milk
- 3-4 cardamom
- A few saffron flakes
Method:
- Soak sabudana in the water for about 15 minutes & drain them and soak saffron flakes in a 1/4 cup of hot milk for 10 minutes.
- Now in a deep pan boil milk with sugar and cardamom and then sabudana and 1 cup of water.
- Let it boil until the sabudana becomes translucent.
- Now add the saffron milk and mix properly.
- Your kheer is now ready.
3- Banana Walnut Lassi
Ingredients:
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 Banana
- 3-4 Walnuts
- 1-2 tsp Honey
Method:
- In a food processor, add yogurt, walnuts, honey, and bananas.
- Blend it well till it is smooth and creamy.
- Transfer it into a glass and garnish with chopped walnuts before serving.
Try these recipes at home during this Navratri and make these dishes even tastier by adding in exotic spices of Vasant Masala, we are the largest spices manufacturers in Gujarat. Buy the high-quality and purest masala from the e-store today!