Let us know in which states of India Navratri is celebrated in a different way.
Navratri Celebrations in Different States: The festival of Shardiya Navratri is celebrated with great pomp. There are many states in India and Navratri is celebrated in different ways. Let us know in which states of India Navratri is celebrated in a different way.
Navratri festival is celebrated grandly in Gujarat. Dandiya and Garba are organized here on a large scale. Garba of Gujarat is recognized all over the world. People from all over the world especially come to Gujarat to enjoy this traditional and religious festival. Last year, UNESCO had declared the popular Gujarati folk dance Garba as an intangible cultural heritage.
Mother Gauri is worshiped during Navratri in Andhra Pradesh. Unmarried girls there attend the communal puja in search of a life partner of their choice. The festival is called Bathukamma Panduga in Telugu language. Women make flower arrangements in the time-honored style using flowers to worship the Mother Goddess.
In states like West Bengal and Assam, different types of pandals are set up during Navratri which have completely different themes. The Mother Goddess is worshiped with great pomp and show for nine days and on the day of Dashami, the Goddess is sent off with great pomp. However, during Durga Puja in Bengal, women dance to the beats of Dhak and try to please the goddess.
In Bihar, Ramlila is organized at many places for nine days of Navratri. Besides, nine forms of Maa Durga are also worshiped with great pomp and local pandals are also decorated at many places.
In Rajasthan, nine forms of Maa Durga are celebrated as per rituals for nine days. Garba is performed collectively by dressing up in traditional costumes. Even after Navratri, the festive atmosphere continues, which continues with Dussehra also. The festival of Dussehra lasts for about 20 days in Rajasthan. In fact, here on the last day of Navratri i.e. Dussehra, the effigy of Ravana is burnt and fairs are also organized in different cities till Dhanteras.
Dussehra is the Nadhabba or state festival of Karnataka, which is celebrated with great joy in the city of Mysore. On the day of Mahanavami the royal sword is placed on a throne for worship and carried in a procession of elephants and horses. On the day of Dashami, a grand procession of musicians carries the image of Maa Durga on an elephant throughout the city and celebrates this festival with pomp and show.
In Tamil Nadu, the festival of Navratri is celebrated in a completely different way. Here people worship not only Maa Durga but also other Hindu deities like Lakshmi and Saraswati. During Navratri, people in Tamil Nadu also give sweets and other types of gifts to their relatives. Especially on Dashami day, in some parts of Tamil Nadu, the idol of Mother Saraswati is installed and worshipped.
