Call it Faith or Divine Force. There's always something we Indians feel strongly for. It could be gods, goddesses, saints or even festivals and religious beliefs. We have Dussehra a fortnight away - a festival following the day Navratri ends - which brings to mind Rama's victory over Ravana. Popularly known as the festival of `nine nights', Navratri means people honouring the power of Ambe Mata, worshipping and pleasing the Goddess to get rid of evils.Among the 2,000 odd festivals that are part of the rich diversity of Gujarat, this festival boasts of resplendent enthusiasm displayed with energetic dances that include the `garba' and the `dandia raas'. Of course, not all believe in the philosophy the festival preaches, but it doesn't come as a surprise to see a major segment of the population breathlessly awaiting the fervour and excitement that the festival is reputed to bring along. Navratri - crossing the barriers of caste - with roots in religion, is followed by Dussehra celebrations when many celebrate the glorious victory Rama enjoyed over Ravana.The `nine nights' that began with rigorous puja and fasting to appease theGoddess and witness the special power she manifests, has in recent times undergone some variation. The Goddess is still sung to; she is still feared, but the ways have registered a slight, but definite, change. For, as far as Navratri in cities is concerned, what seems more important is merry-making and dancing the night away. However, Gujarat has managed an unpremeditated effort in keeping old rituals and traditions alive. The state is once again all set to gracefully welcome the festival that would leave behind memories of times that very few can enjoy. Very few, because excepting Gujarat, there are hardly places where you could ever see nights merging with days and almost everyone looking forward to evenings where all they need to think of is to dress and dance in their best and finest.The festival is essentially religious in nature and often sees a stream ofvisitors in temples - from morning to night. The `garba', a circular dance performed by women around an earthenware pot called a `garbo', has dancers whirling with a singer and a drummer providing music. Things, however, are changing. Today, there are loudspeakers and remixes for music and the dance goes faster with every beat. Not only that, there are prizes given away to the best dancer and those dressed in the best. That which could be brought alive at small societies or large public squares earlier, `garba' has now moved on to hotels, clubs and party plots too.Surprises aplenty, there are times you wish to sit and stare in disbelief - at the way people shop or the way they go berserk driving crazily in the middle of the night on a busy road. Though the `nine night fever' takes over the entire state, Ahmedabad gets to see people losing a bit of their original selves to a crazy collective rapture. These nine nights are nine of a kind - colleges are starved of students and offices wear a dull look. Mornings dawn not at six or seven but lazily at noon. Sleepy eyed and lethargic at work, almost everyone is more concerned about where to go in the evenings and with whom. It is also a good time for friends to socialise and to catch up with folks who have disappeared into their respective schedules the year through.Surprisingly, parents, who normally practise restraint in letting girls out after sunset or those who frown at the `ugliness' of the disco dance culture, never hesitate in letting their unrelenting kids join in for `dandia raas' even late into the night.For all those who've missed a trip to Gujarat this year, there's always a next time.
