Dandiya Raas in NAVRATRI

One noteworthy point about Navratri: devotees of Durga fast and pray for health and prosperity. Dandiya Raas is performed in the honour of Goddess Durga. It is the dramatization of a mock fight between the Goddess and Mahishasura - the mighty demon-king. The sticks of the dance represent the sword of Durga. Women normally perform it in a graceful and rhythmic manner in a circle as they rotate around the 'mandvi'.


In Gujarat and neighbouring regions, Garba or Dandiya-Raas continues throughout the night. All the nine days are devoted to Amba, Goddess of Shakti (Power) and people fast to please and pay their respects to her. During the fasting period, people make various dishes which follow the strictures laid down as to what kind of foods can be consumed and what not. Since the past few years, the Government of Gujarat has been organising the "Navratri Festival Celebrations" on a regular basis for the nine days of Navratri Festival, in Gujarat. People from all over Gujarat and even abroad come to participate in the nine days celebrations. It is also popular throughout India and among Indian communities around the world including UK and USA.



Traditionally, Dandiya Raas is performed after aarti (ritual of worshipping the diety). Hence, Dandiya Raas is an important part of the merriment. The special characteristic of the dance is the colorful costume worn by the dancers and the colourful sticks carried by them. Both men and women love to be seen dressed in their best traditional attire. The women wear traditional dresses such as colourful embroidered choli, ghaghra and bandhani dupattas glittering with mirror work and heavy jewellery, while men look very attractive in their traditional colorful kedias. The colourful sticks, used as prop of Dandiya Raas, are usually made of bamboo. This is the reason why it is also known as 'stick dance'. The circular movements of Dandiya Raas to some extent are very complex, which can be done only with skill in the art form. The dancers strike the sticks with their partners and dance in circular motion, to the rhythm of the music played in the background. A large number of people are involved in Dandiya Raas and two circles are formed by the dancers.



Out of the two circles made to perform Dandiya Raas, one of the circles revolves clockwise, while the other revolves anti clockwise. The dance is a very lively, active and fast paced art form. Dandiya Raas in Navratri is a mesmerizing thing to watch as well as to participate in.People who fast during these days might enjoy special foods like sabudana vada, arbi ki kadhi, kele ki subzi, rajgire ki puri.


*special thanks to Mr.Sanjeevkapoor & Family.