Dance, music and devotion: Colours of tradition splash at Navratri celebrations in Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur: The clashing sound of dandiya sticks is resonating Gujrati Sanatan Samaj as the premises is grooving to garba and dandiya beats. With traditional tracks taking the centrestage, Samaj is celebrating the nine-day festival. Apart from performing puja and aarti to goddess Durga, an earthen pot with lamps is kept at the venue as an embodiment of life and energy during the celebrations.

This year, the authorities of the Gujarati Sanatan Samaj have decided to focus on Hindu culture of the country. Groups have performed dramas showcasing his life and the rich Hindu culture.

The garba dandiya is done in continuous sessions as children, youths, and even the elderly mingle with flair to stir up the atmosphere. As the tempo slowly increases, they all sweat it out repeating the steps.

Prakash Mehta, a senior functionary of Gujarati Sanatan Samaj said that they have been organising the traditional �dandiya� and �garba� meets during Navratri for the members of the Gujarati community in the city from more than eight decades from now. He went on to inform that samaj also organises competitions in dandidya and raas garba in different categories and the winners are felicitated on the occasion of �dashehra.

Members of the samaj said response for such celebrations is getting better with each passing year as the revelry starts after office hours (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.), making it convenient for entrepreneurs and professionals working in diverse fields to join the dance schedules.

On the other hand Sri Surat Gujrati Samaj is also organising Ras Garba and dandia at the Jalaram temple in Bistupur everyday. Men and women perform garba and dandia that starts at 9 at night. Here prasad is also distributed to the visitors.

Once sun sets, thousands of Navratri enthusiasts dressed in their traditional wear flock to Navratri Mandals in anticipation of fun, frolic and loads of colour. After performing traditional rituals and paying homage to goddess Durga, crowds burst into song and dance. The delicacies of the Gujarati community- �gathiya�, �undhiyu�, �phaphra� and �dhokla� are also part of the traditional festival, which are served during.