Shardiya Navratri festival has started. On these days, people also play Dandiya and Garba along with darshan and worshiping the nine forms of the Goddess. But do you know why Dandiya and Garba are played only on Navratri? This folk dance performed in Maharashtra and Gujarat has a direct connection with Maa Durga. Actually, Garba and Dandiya games originated from Gujarat. But the devotees of the Goddess are all over the country, hence dances are organized collectively throughout the country during Navratri. According to religious beliefs, these dances are performed only during Navratri. Because this dance is considered to represent and symbolize the victory of the nine-day war between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, in which Goddess Durga was victorious. Therefore, during Navratri, devotees please the Goddess by doing this dance and receive her blessings. Meaning of Garba is womb lamp. According to experts, Garba or Dandiya dance is played in different ways. When devotees play Dandiya, they meditate on the figure of the Goddess, which is considered a symbol of prosperity.
This is how we meditate on the Goddess before dancing.
The Goddess is worshiped before the Garba dance. After this, a lamp is lit by making a hole in an earthen pot in front of the picture or statue of the goddess. Then after that a silver coin is also put in it. Devotees perform this dance in the light of this lamp. This game means that men and women are fighting like Goddess Durga and demon-king Mahishasura. Garba costume has 3 parts. Women wear choli or blouse, chaniya or long skirt and bright dupatta and men wear turban with kadu. There is a way of doing this, in which women and men dance in groups of two or four to keep in tune with the rhythm.
dandiya dance
In this, both men and women dance to musical instruments like Dholak and Tabla along with colorful and decorated bamboo sticks. It is considered a beautiful way of presenting the war between gods and demons. The colorful shades used during Dandiya represent the sword of Goddess Durga.
Positive energy is transmitted
It is said that the sound produced by fighting the shades during Dandiya dance brings positive energy. Apart from this, the negativity of life also ends. In such a situation, during the Garba dance, women use three claps, which provides positive energy.
Know here why the festival is celebrated
It is believed that years ago, people in Gujarat were greatly troubled by the terror of the demon Mahishasura, then seeing the problems of the people, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh appealed to the Mother Goddess for help. Due to the wrath of the gods, Goddess Jagadamba appeared and killed the demon. After which the festival of Navratri started being celebrated every year and people fast for nine days as a celebration and play Garba and Dandiya to please the Mother Goddess.