Gandhinagar: Sharadiya Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to devotion, strength, and worship, begins today, October 3, in Gandhinagar. However, due to the doubling (vradhi) of the third day, Aaso Sud Treej, this year the festival will span 10 days, concluding on October 12, which coincides with both Aaso Sud Nom (the ninth day of Navratri) and Dussehra.

Navratri 2024 Schedule

Vibrant Navratri Celebration across Gujarat

The Gujarat state government is once again organizing the Vibrant Navratri celebration at Gujarat University Ground near Helmet Char Rasta in Ahmedabad, with the inauguration taking place this evening. The use of loudspeakers and public address systems will be permitted until midnight. However, MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi has repeatedly stated that people are free to continue playing Garba even after the loudspeakers stops.

In the past, the Gujarat government had declared a Navratri vacation in schools by shortening the Diwali break, but this decision was reversed in later years.

At Ambaji Mandir in North Gujarat, Garba will be held separately for men and women, with women-only sessions in Chachar Chowk. Thousands of devotees have already gathered at Ashapura Mata Mandir in Kutch, with some arriving by bicycle from Mumbai as part of their annual pilgrimage. Large crowds are also thronging at Mahakali Temple in Pavagadh and other temples, all of which are prepared for the increased number of visitors.

Gujarat is known for its famous Shakti temples, including Chamunda in Chotila, Mahakali in Pavagadh, Amba in Ambaji, Bahuchar in Bechraji, and Ashapura in Kutch. Vadodara, considered the cultural capital of Gujarat, will host hundreds of Garba events. In Saurashtra, well-known Garba gatherings will take place in Lathi, Amreli, Morbi, Jamnagar, and Junagadh.

Gujarat Govt Hosting Navratri Events at 9 Temples Across the State

The Department of Youth Services and Cultural Activities is hosting Navratri festivities from October 3 to October 11 at Ambaji Shaktipeeth in Banaskantha district and from October 3 to October 12 at Bahucharaji Shaktipeeth in Mehsana district. One-day cultural events will also take place at seven other temples dedicated to the Goddess (Mataji) across Gujarat.

Key events are scheduled for October 4 at Shri Harsiddhi Mata Temple in Devbhoomi Dwarka, October 5 at both Shri Umiya Mata Temple in Unjha and Shri Ashapura Mata Temple in Kutch, October 7 at Shri Mahakali Temple in Pavagadh, October 8 at Shri Bhadrakali Temple in Ahmedabad, and October 9 at both Shri Chamunda Mata Temple in Chotila and Shri Modheshwari Mata Temple in Modhera.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, like many devotees, observes a nine-day fast during Navratri.

In his 2012 blog post, the PM wrote: “Many of you will be fasting through these 9 days. I recall that during Teacher’s Day celebrations two years ago, a little girl had asked me about my fasting during Navratri. Yes, I have been fasting during Navratri for over 35 years now. This fast is never to seek anything but an act of self-purification. Fasts such as this have been a source of strength, power, and inspiration for me over the last many years.”

He also mentioned: “Navratri is central to the cultural identity of Gujaratis. Garba and Raas form a centuries-old tradition going back to the time of Lord Krishna — it is the cultural heritage of every Gujarati. In the coming days, if you go to any part of Gujarat, you will see people, be it young or old, dancing to the tunes of wonderful Gujarati folk music as part of the Navratri celebrations.”

“During Navratri, we bow our heads and seek the blessings of Jagat Janani Maa. While civilizations around the world have conceptualized the Almighty in the male form, ours is the only civilization that celebrates and venerates Shakti in the female form — be it Jagat Janani Maa Jagadamba, Maa Lakshmi, or Maa Saraswati among the many other Goddesses.”

“The popularity of our Garbas has transcended Gujarat’s shores — there are at least 500 cities around the world where this festival is celebrated with great pomp and show!”

Amit Shah in Gujarat on the First Day of Navratri

Union Minister Amit Shah will perform the evening aarti in his hometown of Mansa, as he does each year. He will also inaugurate the Vibrant Navratri 2024 event in Ahmedabad and attend other Garba celebrations in his Gandhinagar constituency. DeshGujarat