Dance of the divine: The spiritual essence of Garba and Navratri

Garba is a vibrant and devotional folk dance form from Gujarat, traditionally performed during the nine nights of Navratri to honor Goddess Durga.

- TDG NETWORK

Dancers move in circular patterns around a lamp or idol, symbolizing the cycle of life and the divine feminine energy. Garba is not just a celebration-it's a spiritual expression of joy, unity, and reverence for Shakti, the cosmic power.and sacred.

The word Navratri means "nine nights" in Sanskrit. These nine nights are set aside for the worship of Goddess Durga, who is considered the embodiment of Shakti (cosmic energy). Each day is dedicated to one of her nine forms-ranging from the gentle and nurturing to the fierce and warrior-like aspects of the goddess.

The festival typically falls four times a year, but the Sharad Navratri (autumn Navratri) celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October) is the most prominent. During these nine days, devotees observe fasting, perform rituals, recite scriptures, and participate in devotional music and dance.

The spiritual significance of Navratri lies in its message of inner purification, self-discipline, and transformation. Just as Goddess Durga defeats demons in mythological stories, the festival encourages devotees to conquer the negative forces within-like ego, anger, greed, and fear.