Navratri fervour grips Rajkot

Rajkot, Oct 12 (UNI) People from different religious faiths are taking part in the Navratri celebrations that began today in the city.

In Rajkot, the central city of Saurashtra, as many as 23 'Arvachin Rass' have been organised with modern music systems for Garba where youngsters dance in circles on music.

People from the minority community are also lending their support to the organizers by helping them in organising the traditional 'Rass' and are also taking part in the 'Aradhana' of Goddess Amba at many places.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) City President Nitin Bhardhwaj, the main organizer of Race Course Club Garba, said that there are around 1,500 young girls and boys taking part in the dance festival, and couple participants have to pay Rs 2,400 while singles have to pay Rs 1,100 as entry fee.

Other major Garba organizers in the city are Pioneer and Zankar, which are also attracting youngsters in huge numbers.

Apart from 'Arvachin Rass', traditional Garba is also performed across the Saurashtra region with Rajkot taking the lead in celebrating it in its traditional style.

The age-old tradition of worshipping the Goddess with girls dancing around the idol of ''Maa Amba'' still exists in the city.

''The Panchnath Garba Mandal has been operating from the oldest Panchnath Mahadev Temple strictly following the rules and dress code of the Garba,'' an organizer said.

Males can enter the mandap only if they are wearing the traditional 'Dhoti' and girls have to wear a sari. The participants, are required to perform the Garba by singing together as the organizers do not provide a microphone.

''People from different localities throng here to watch the 'Divda Rass', where girls perform the dance while carrying lamps on their heads,'' the organizer added.

The Dharashwar Temple, near Bhaktinagar Circle, also follows the old tradition of Garba while conducting the 'Prachin Rass' and attracts many visitors.

The traditional Garba takes place in several parts of the city organised by the residents. According to the organisers this traditional form of worshipping Goddess Amba is reflective of Indian culture.

UNI