Navratri 2022: Significance of Garba during the 9-day-long festival

Garba comes from the Sanskrit word 'garbha,' which means womb. For the Gujaratis, the nine-day festival of Navratri is all about dancing and celebrating the feminine form of divinity.

Published on: Sep 26, 2022 2:04 PM IST

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The nine-day-long festival of Navratri, which marks the victory of good over evil, has begun today, September 26 and will go on till October 5. It is held annually during the month of Ashwin (September or October). One of the main highlights of Navratri celebrations in the country is the traditional dance form 'Garba' which is a symbol of devotion and worship. (HT Photo/Santosh Kumar)

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Garba is a traditional dance form from the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat that honours, worships and celebrates the feminine form of divinity. (ANI)

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This dance form originated in the villages of Gujarat where the entire community would participate. (ANI)

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In Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with nine nights of dancing in honour of Goddess Durga. (ANI)

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Garba is traditionally performed by women in a circle around a 'garbha deep' which is a clay lantern with a light inside. This symbolises the body within whom divinity (in the form of the Goddess or Devi) resides. (HT Photo/Satish Bate)

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Garba is performed in a circle which represents the Hindu view of time. This dance form reflects the circle of life - from birth to death and shows one thing that remains constant, the Goddess. (ANI)

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Garba is also performed during special occasions like social gatherings, weddings and parties. (HT Photo/Anshuman Poyrekar)

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People perform Garba barefoot to pay respect to the earth, the sacred mother of all, on which all forms of humanity walk. It is also another way of connecting with the deity. (AP)