Garba, Dandiya, Karva Chauth & Diwali
Winter is the time when the wings of festivities spread across the land of India. Each state has its own rich cultural tradition. Last month we could see our pocket sector A pocket B and C as a mini-India. The spirit of Gujarat was brought alive during the three days when Garba and Dandiya were performed gleefully by the residents.
Couples participated in the dance competition with great enthusiasm and much to the delight of the large audience who had gathered in the ground well decorated and colourfully staged behind the Mandir. Even the senior citizens danced to the rhythm gracefully and the entire audience enjoyed the colourful feast along with the variety of food that was available during the well organised Garba festival.
Simultaneously, the Navratri festival preparation was going on in various households. To commemorate the occasion, the Mandir committee came up with a novel idea of presenting Ramayana. The young talents of our pocket brought out their acting skills and presented Ramayana for almost 9 days much to the appreciation of the impressed audience.
The presentation came to an end with ‘Ravan dahan’. Those days the audience was transported from Mithila to Ayodhya to Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka at no cost. The show brought the hidden talents of our youngsters. Navratri is the time when our Bengali friends worship Ma Durga. At the community centre maa Durga worship was going on for 9 days with great pomp and show. Maa Durga idol kept there was breathtakingly beautiful and it was adorned amazingly and awe inspiringly. The whole atmosphere was filled with devotion and sanctity. Dhunchi naach too was part of the worship without which Puja would not be complete.
Navratri and Durga Puja were followed by karva chauth. It was a sight to see beautiful women carrying well-lit thallies in their beautiful mehandi designed hands walking towards the Mandir. I wish all their prayers for the wellbeing of their husbands and families come true.
The highlight of the month is Diwali. The festival of unity. Diwali is celebrated from north to south, east to west with great enthusiasm. Diwali Milan organised in our society was a big hit. The Milan was well organised in our community centre and people poured in large numbers to greet and meet. It was like a mini exhibition ground with variety of stalls. Diwali Diyas, festoons, clothes bed sheets, decorative lights, variety of food, name it was available there. Everyone indulged in shopping, gaming and eating. The tambola game added to the fun. Children enjoyed the jhula, fun rides and the sliders.
