Feast of Shakti Puja: Navratri

The great power that we adore over the years is Moksha Pradayini, Asura Sanharini and Abhaydayani for the devotees. Shri Ambema we see that this Chaitanyamayi Mahashakti is the same Mahasaraswati. Even after listening to Goddess Mahatmya in the ashram of Madhas Muni, King Surath, whose entire kingdom was snatched away, demanded his kingdom back and a merchant named Samadhi, who was freed from selfish relatives, prayed for upvarga or liberation. Pleased with the adoration of both of them, Mataji gave the desired blessing to both of them.

Navratri is a festival of Shakti Puja. On the day of Aso Sud Padva, Ghat or Kumbh is installed in some houses. Some people also plant sorghum. On these nine days, devotees worship Goddess Mataji faithfully. Some worship Khodiyar Mata, some worship Mahakali, some worship Ambaji and some worship Mataji in different forms.

These days of Navratri are also known as 'Norta' in Gujarat. In Bengal, these nine days are known as the days of 'Durga Puja'. Apart from Bengal, Navratri is also celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mysore.

The Mahatma of Goddess Durga is briefly described in this way in 'Durga Spashti'.

"In ancient times, the torment of Shambha, Nishumbha and Mahishasur demons was very high. Frightened by this, the gods worshiped Adishakti Mahamaya. The goddess appeared and promised to protect the gods and ordered them to worship the Asovad unit for nine days. The gods worshiped in this way, so Mabhagavati killed the evil demons and freed Trilok from the fear of demons. Since then, the Navratri festival has begun.

Navratri is celebrated on a large scale in South India and Bengal. In Bengal, the festival of 'Pooja' is celebrated with more joy than Diwali. In most parts of India, Navratri is celebrated with joy for nine days before the month of Aso. While in some parts the first nine days of Chaitra month are also celebrated as Navratri. Navratri festival has been celebrated in Gujarat for hundreds of years. Programs are usually arranged for up to nine days. But in some places the festival is celebrated till Dussehra and in some places till Sharad Purni. Yajna is performed on the eighth day to please Mataji. Which we call 'home'. Mataji is established by decorating garbo in one of the main areas or chowks in villages and cities. The Prajapati brothers make garbas with holes in the clay. A sacred lamp is placed in this garba. In a circle around this garbi, the sisters clap their hands to sing and praise Mataji, or clap their hands, which we call garbo or rangtali.

The folklore for Garba or Raas is that Raas also became popular in Vraja with the arrival of Lord Krishna from Vrindavan in Saurashtra along with the gopis. Thus Ras of the holy land of Vraja has become known in Gujarat as Garba, Garbi or Ras. In Vrindavan's Rasalila, Lord Krishna may have harassed the gopis, naughty Kanude may have made a storm fun. Whether it is the mind of the gopis, the magic of the melody played by the flute or the description of the exploits of the butter thief Kanuda, Raas is known. Also in the rasa there is a description of Radha and Krishna and Radha's love, like the holy water of the time.

At the beginning of Navratri, Adyashakti Ambamata is praised. And only then do regular programs begin. The melody of drums, tabla, zanz harmonium, shranai etc. enhances the pride of Garba. The vibrant sound of the instruments transmits the power of victory to the speed of the rasa takers.

These nine days of Navratri are considered very sacred. It is said that worshiping the goddess for these nine days pleases the goddess with the least effort. Gives the desired fruit. That is why Hindus all over India celebrate Navratri with great enthusiasm. The importance of women in ancient India is evident from the stories associated with the goddess. In those days woman was not weak but strong. Navratri is the year of Shaktipuja. It is not only in Hinduism that Shakti is worshiped, but also in Jain scriptures the glory of Shakti is sung in one form or another. Urmi Tara Panchag 'Tara Kalpana' 'Taratatva' etc. Buddhist scriptures also clearly mention that Buddhists sang the glory of Devitara. The form of Goddess Tara is also similar to the form of Shakti described in Indian Puranas. Apart from India, other countries of the world have also been worshiping Shakti in one form or another. Shakti is worshiped everywhere in Greece as the presiding deity of learning and wealth growth, in Lanka and in Thailand as the sea goddess Manimekhva, in China as the presiding deity of love, etc. From the remains of statues of gods and goddesses, ancient coins, temples, etc. found in the excavations of Manhejjo-dado and Harappa, it is seen that tradition has been going on in our country since ancient times.

The description of the battle of the goddess as the power of the human mind with demons like evil elements remains the same description of the struggle of human life. The goddess destroys the demons who look at women with lustful eyes and consider them as tools of possessions and luxuries. The story of the goddess is also a shining example of dreams. All the main gods give their weapons etc. to the goddess. And with her help the goddess defeats the demons in battles.

On the tenth day after Navratri, Dussehra is the day on which Goddess Bhagwati defeated the Asuras, so the day is celebrated as Vijayadashami in the form of Vijay Utsav.

During the nine days of Navratri, this melody flowing from the cuckoo's throat of Gujarat is not touching anyone.

"Asoma So Sharad Poonam Raat Jo Chandalio Ugyo Re Sakhi Mara Chowk Mein"

"Gheli Gujaratan dances your crazy song, Radhika loves Pawani ..."

The pride of madness is found in the throat of a woman of Gujarat which starts with the stick of Mamta's salt leaf. In the novel days of Navratri, the Gujarat sisters who are obsessed with such craziness become monotonous in devotion to Shakti.

The new days of Navratri are fragrant in the identity of Gujarat, there is a longing to live life. There is a desire to do something and behind all this there is the joy of distance and the thunganat of the mind.

"Haiyu haiyu bhinsai man morlo thangani uthe yauvan hindole chade"

And become involved in the making of Mast Bani Suro.

Navratri is also called by some as 'Durgaratri'. Durga is the form of Maa Amba Bhavani. On this day when Maa Durga goes to play rasa with other goddesses, our proud Gujarati sisters sing that

Maa Amba decided to play it

Mahakali Ray!

With the help of co-workers!

Mahakali Ray adorning that crown on my head!

Mae sajia sola decoration pavavali re!

In this way, when the sixteen decorated Sajima Durga Bhavani is playing, the sisters' Thanganat Halej climbs! Mother is the incarnation of power, the giver of power ... and let's take some descriptions of the mother of devotees? Devotees say that nothing can be imagined without grace to the Goddess of the hills, even though the hills of Mana are swarming.

Aji taro dungariya chadwa te athi chana dohyalare lol aapo aapo shakti ambe mat gabbar garh ghumware lol

And with unwavering faith, the devotees also climb the Dohayala hills. And by going to the steps of mana, one bows down and gets liberation from mental and physical torments. The adornment of the lighted night awakens in the folk heart the roar of urmis and a proud "Sayer Mori Sharadpoonam's night, the light falls on Ray Manekchok, Ray Lal".

And in such a cold moonlight, Gujarat is proud to play Radhaji about its friends.

'' Radhaji's high temple low mall

Jharukhade diva bale re lol,

Radha Gori Garbe comes to play

Saheli found all the crowd Ray Lal.

- Neepa