Navratri Day-3 Dandiya Celebration

The third day is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta. It is believed that Goddess Parvati, on marriage to Siva, wore the half-moon on her forehead.

Garba is a kind of dance event that originates in Gujarat. Garba is performed around an earthen pot (garbo) with a deep (lamp) inside (indicates life inside like a baby inside a mother’s womb), that is why it is called ‘Garbha Deep.’

Garbha means Fetus inside the womb. In earlier times the Garbha or Dandiya is played by dancers on the beats of dhol. But nowadays these programs are organized on a very large scale. Special arrangements are made like Dj parties, Bollywood music takes place of dhol.

Dandiya Celebration

In Dandiya performers move around in circles, making circular movements with their hands and feet around this Garbha Deep. These movements represent the life cycle that flows from life to death and again rebirth. Many events are also organized like Miss Garba Queen, Mr. Garbha King, Best performer, and Best dressed to boost the energy of performers.

Basically, this dance is from Gujarat but now it is popular in almost every part of the country. People participate and dance with full energy which also helps in removing negativity from life.

-Radhika Malhotra