Garba of Norata: Identity of Gujarat.

- Today is yesterday-Bhagirath Brahmbhatt

What is Varatri? Worship of power. The word 'shakti' is made of 'shak' metal - the divine power that gives the ability to accomplish excellent work. In Gujarat, this festival is celebrated in a special way - almost at home. What will that offering have to do with Navratri? Shaktipuja is performed by Naivedha, Kuladevi is remembered. Mistakes made throughout the year are forgiven. Rice-ghee-jaggery prasad means have - distribute. Somewhere a family eats together. Somewhere everyone is divided. Stored somewhere in the basement. Somewhere the mother climbs on the boys. There are different rules. I didn't even know the word Navratri then. Saying 'Norta' .. Norta sits from the unit of this month .. If it has rained, the millet has ripened and come to the barn. Sharad is sitting and Norta comes .. After saying goodbye to Shraddha, Norta arrives. When the sixteen saradhas are completed, then the festival of Shakti Upasana begins. Religion is a form of ritual. Shakti is worshiped at home. Worship is done by fasting.

In Gujarat, in special places, at home, the unique glory of Norata. If there is a closed house, the offering must be made by opening the house. You have to come home from the country - such a belief. Faith is also true. Singing Garba and calling Ramzat came later. A festival full of faith. The lamp also happens to be an unbroken lamp somewhere.

The pride associated with Shaktipuja has been lost in the chore-chaute-party plot during this period. In the name of Mataji-Shaktiparva, innovation and modernization have been added. Devotees who have faith in Shakti establish Mataji at home for nine days and worship. Norta of Gujarat is known in the country and in the world. Is the identity of culture. Ancient Norta, ancient Garbo has existed as far back as the Indus Valley Civilization. At that time Shakti Puja was glorious, at that time Shiva Puja also existed. Shiva-Shakti was the god of both Anaryas. Shakti worship is also mentioned in our Puranas. Mahishasura fought with the gods and defeated them. Then Brahma-Vishnu-Yama, Ganesha etc. came together to produce female power and killed Mahishasura. Then there is the folklore that there is peace on earth, Shaktipuja comes from tradition. Lord Rama also vowed Navratri and therefore conquered Lanka.

Navratri Garbo is a lamp lit in a perforated earthen pot. Light emerges from the holes. An experiment has come into existence that sings the glory of its round power. Proud women sing while men sing proudly. Saurashtra has a high number of such proud singing men. Then we have also accepted the mixture of Garba-Garbi.

Garbo was a form of ritual. Later it becomes a means of entertainment. Banasur's daughter Usha was an asuraputri who knew the asura types of dance. He taught the gopis. This practice is still prevalent in Saurashtra today. The basic name of Vallabhmewada is associated with the prevalence of Garba in Gujarat. Garba is also mentioned in Bhandas. Garba is the identity of Gujarat. The glory of growing jewels is also seen in some places.

Changes have come in all areas. The onslaught of modernity, the effects of Western culture on Garba. The reality of Garba has hardly survived anywhere in Saurashtra. In the rest of Gujarat, pride has become modern. In it, the purpose of darshan becomes secondary and the zazo of the exhibition becomes glorious. Garbo is no longer round, its shape has also changed. Its value is declining as thousands of young men and women play together. Costumes, ornaments, modern tools have tarnished its authenticity. Garba has gone from three beats to several methods, to several beats! Even from that change, the fragrance of our original Garba has not yet completely disappeared. Gujarat's pride has reached home and abroad. It also gives pride to Gujarat. Disciplined Garba has also gained international fame. Gujarat is proud of its pride in Shaktipuja.