Among all Indian festivals, Navaratri or Garba is the most popular one. When you think of Garba, what do you think of? I can see a huge stadium or a hall with a well-decorated stage. Maybe  Phalguni Pathak,  or any Bollywood celebrity performing their most famous dance numbers. Lighting, the general ambiance is very lively. It is one of the most popular and loved event by the youth these days. Fast music, youth dancing, and a grand celebration are what I picture when I think of Garba back home.

Talking about here, the first thing that comes to my mind is people wearing their Chaiya Cholis, Sarees. People from different age groups – varying from a toddler in her cute Indian attire to an old aunty wearing Garba perfect sari. Most of the Navaratri events happen in school community centers or an auditorium. That’s the reason why you see your NRI friend’s Garba pictures inside an enclosed hall and not in an open area. It is difficult to find venues where such events can be celebrated for an extended period. These events are held over the weekends. Not every time, people get to see any celebrity coming to the city during Navaratri.

 

I have never attended any Garba celebration back home. I grew up in the IIT campus, and that time there wasn’t any Garba celebration that used to take place. And going out of IIT campus for it and coming back late night was totally out of the question. Now I see a lot is happening in the IIT campus, which makes me feel to be in India during Navaratri celebration and attend it at least once. I can see, it still has the social aspect to it as it used to be earlier. But here, the scale is much smaller compared to India. The events are not very commercial here.

 

Last year, we attended Garba at Chinmay Mission here in Houston. Since I never attended Garba in India, I was happy with it. It may feel kind of bland to many who have attended Garba in India. Here, it is not just a social event. It is a way to connect to their culture. It was more like a cultural statement that has an immense spiritual significance. People are emotionally connected when they come together during such occasions. These events become an informal meeting for the entire Indian community.

 

Navratri or Garba holds a place in a lot of people’s hearts because it is a reminder of home. Staying connected with the Hindu community in America and staying connected with the religion through the festivities of Navratri or Diwali or Dussehra, or any other festival for that matter is important to a lot of Indian people in America. After all,  we can never take India out of an Indian. And these occasions give any Indian a chance to keep the India alive.

 

This post is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z. My theme is “Dollar Nation – Are You Ready To Experience the West Through My Eyes”

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