Mumbai Navratri is among the most popular festivals in Mumbai. Navratri is a 9 day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga (Shakti).
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Navratri Festival Dates, Mumbai Navratri Garba Timing
There are 5 Navratri festivals in a year. Of these “Sharad Navratri” (“Maha Navratri”) and “Chaitra Navratri” are the two most popular Navratris. The other three Navratris are “Paush Gupt Navratri”, “Ashadha Gupt Navratri”, “Magh Gupt Navratri” (or “Shishir Navratri”).
“Chaitra Navratri” (also called “Vasant Navratri” and “Ram Navratri”) is usually in March or April. The ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is “Ram Navami”. The first day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as “Gudi Padwa” in Maharashtra, which is the Maharashtrian New Year. Hindus in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka celebrate “Ugadi” (also known as “Yugadi”) on the first day of “Chaitra Navratri”. “Ugadi” is the New Year.
“Sharad Navratri” is the most popular Navratri and is celebrated throughout India. “Sharad Navratri” is usually in September or October. The day after Sharad Navratri is “Dusshera”. In Mumbai, it is Sharad Navratri that is celebrated with fervour and passion and this article is mainly about Sharad Navratri.
Navratri 2020 Dates, Navaratri Start/End Dates 2020
- Chaitra Navratri Festival Start Date in 2020: March 25, 2020 (Wednesday) (Gudi Padwa)
- Chaitra Navratri Festival End Date in 2020: April 2, 2020 (Thursday) (Ram Navami)
- Navratri Festival Start Date in 2018: October 17, 2020 (Saturday). This is the start of Sharad Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri.
- Navratri Festival End Date in 2018: October 25, 2020 (Sunday). This is the end of Sharad Navratri (Maha Navratri).
- Dusshera (Dashami or Vijaydashmi) is on October 25, 2020 (Monday).
- Idols of Goddess Durga are immersed (Durga Visarjan) on the day after Dassera October 26, 2020 (Tuesday).
- Mumbai has a 10:00 pm deadline for Dandiya Raas and Garba. On the last 2 days of Navratri, Garba and Dandiya organizers are allowed to play music up to 12:00 midnight.
- As per Mumbai rules, 55 decibels is the maximum level of noise allowed in residential areas before 10:00 pm. After 10:00 pm, the noise level should not exceed 45 decibels.
- To overcome the 10:00 pm Mumbai Navratri deadline, some Garba organizers silent Garba in Mumbai. Garba dancers are given headphones.
Dandiya Raas and Garba Timings in Mumbai
Best Mumbai Dandiya Raas And Mumbai Garba Locations
Listed below are some of Mumbai’s biggest and most famous venues and organizers of “Dandya Raas” and “Garba”:
- Pramod Mahajan Sports Complex, Chikuwadi, Borivali: Sometimes Falguni Pathak and her band “Ta Thaiya” perform at this Dandiya venue during Mumbai Navratri. Falguni Pathak is one of the most famous Dandiya and Garba musician in Mumbai.
- Kutchi Ground (Near Aura Hotel, Borivali West): Some years Sisters Preeti and Pinki perform at Kutchi Ground in Borivali West. Over the years Preety and Pinki have gained a large fan following.
- KoraKendra Ground (Haridas Nagar, Borivali West): Kora Kendra Ground is one of the most popular Dandiya and Garba Venue in Mumbai. It is estimated that around 200,000 people attend the Mumbai Navrati Festival at the huge Kora Kendra Ground. The wooden dance floor is around 1,00,000 square feet. These Dandia celebrations are organized by Naidu Club.
- Sahara Star (Near Domestic Airport, Santacruz East): This is a 5 star hotel. In the sweltering October heat, this indoor, air-conditioned venue is popular among Mumbai Garba dancers
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium, NSCI, Haji Ali: This is an air-conditioned indoor venue.
- Raghuleela Mall, Kandivali West: This is an air-conditioned venue where patrons can dance in comfort.
- Pushpanjali Gardens Ground (Near Don Bosco School, Borivali West): Pushpanjali Gardens Ground is a large venue where 30,000 people can enjoy Dandiya and Garba dance.
- Chitrakoot Ground (Shah Industrial Estate, Andheri West):
- Modella Mill Compound, Thane (Near Mulund Check Naka):
- The Acres Club, Sindhi Society, Chembur East:
- Maitri Lawn, Near Mahavir Nagar, Borivali West:
- Police Parade Ground (Ghatkopar East): This is a popular venue for Garba and Dandiya Raas in Mumbai. Navratri Mahotsav Raas Garba at this venue is organized by Ghatkopar Gujrati Samaj.
- Goregaon Sports Club (Link Road, Malad West): The popular Dandia and Garba Raas at this venue is organized by Sankalp Dandiya Navratri Group.
- P.J. Hindu Gymkhana, Marine Drive:
- Khar Gymkhana, 13th Road, Khar:
- Chandan Kunj (Malpani Ground, Borivali):
- Somaiya College Ground (Vidyavihar East):
- Kailas Ground (Mulund West):
- JVPD Ground (Juhu):
- MHADA Ground (Malvani, Malad West):
- Jasodha Rang Mandir (Vile Parle West):
- EsselWorld (Madh Island):
- Bhavan’s College Ground (D N Nagar Road, Andheri West):
- Ekta Ground (Borivali West):
- Tulip Star Hotel (Juhu Tara Road):
- Kamgar Krida Mandal (Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar, Dadar West):
- Cricket Club Of India (Churchgate):
- Richardson and Cruddas Mill (Opposite R Mall, Mulund West):
In addition to these venues, many housing societies celebrate Mumbai Navratri in their buildings.
Best Mumbai Garba and Dandiya Raas Singers, Musicians
These are some of the most famous Dandiya and Garba Singers and Musicians who perform in Mumbai during Navratri.
- Falguni Pathak and her Dandiya band “Tha Thaiyaa”.
- Preeti and Pinky
- Manish Parekh and his band
- Devendra Joshi
- Bhumi Trivedi
- Tushar Sonigra and his Dandiya Band called “Beats 16”
- Parthiv Gohil
- Nilesh Thakkar
- Chetan Gadhavi
- The Beaterrz, whose lead singer is Maneesha Savla
- Umesh Barot
- Manish Joshi
- Drummer Naitik Nagda
- Viju Shah
- Kirtidan Gadhvi
- Jayesh Desai
Navratri Festival Prayers, Activities, Rituals
- Worshipers invite Goddess Durga (known as “Maa Amba” to Gujaratis) to their house by performing “Devi Sthapna” puja,
- Devotees visit temples and fast for Navratri’s nine days. Nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped, one for each day. The nine forms of Goddess Durga are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidatri.
- Devotees light a lamp in a “Garbo” or “Ghatasthapana” (decorated earthen pot) for 9 days. The “Garbo” has holes in it and it represents the human body.
- In the evening, all family members celebrate the victory of Goddess Ambaji/Durga over Mahisasura by dancing “Raas Garba” and “Dandiya Raas”.
- “Dusshera” is celebrated on the day after the 9th day of Navratri.
- Durga Idol Visarjan (Immersion) is done on the 10th day.
During Mumbai Navratri, many devotees visit Mumbai Temples dedicated to Goddess Durga and her various avataars. Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai (Bhulabhai Desai Road) sees large crowds during Navratri. Mahalaxmi Temple has three deities Goddess Mahalakshmi, Goddess Mahakali, and Goddess Mahasaraswati. The temple worships Goddess Durga/Shakti in the form of Goddess Mahakali on the first 3 days of Navratri, followed by Goddess Mahalaxmi on the next 3 days and Goddess Mahasaraswati on the last 3 days. Please visit the Mumbai Shri Mahalakshmi Temple website for details on Navratri Puja timings and schedule.
Traditional Navratri Dandiya Raas and Raas Garba Dances
In “Garba” the dancer moves his/her hands and feet to four beats; whereas in “Dandiya Rass”, dancers dance with sticks.
Garba Dance
- The easiest and most popular Raas Garba dances are the “Be Taali” (2 claps) and “Traan Taali” (3 claps). Please see the below video for simple instructions on these Garba steps.
- Other popular types of Garba Rass Dance are “Butterfly” (clapping and moving in a circle like a butterfly), “Trikonyu” (make a triangle movement), “Hudo” (raise hands and clap with a partner after 4 beats), “Popatiyu” (clap after 2 steps forward and 4 steps back), “Dodhiyu” (forward and backward movement to 8, 10, 12 beats), etc.
Dandiya Rass Dance
- Dandia Raas is played with 2 decorated sticks which are touched with a partner’s sticks in a choreographed pattern. Usually, dancers form an inner and outer circle; one moves in a clockwise and the other in a counter clock-wise direction. The inner and outer circle dancers partner each other in playing Dandiya Rass.
- Different types of Dandiya Raas dance are “Five Steps” technique, “Seven Steps”, etc. “5 Step Dandiya Raas” is the most popular Dandia and the below video has easy instructions on how to play 5 Step Dandiya Raas.
The original folk dances of Garba Rass and Dandia Raas started as a depiction of the 9 day battle between Goddess Durga (“Ambaji”) and Mahisasura. With this in mind, the “Dandiya” (sticks) and the “Garba” style of dance make a lot of sense.
Mahisasura was an “Asura” (Demon) who defeated Indra, the Hindu God of the “Devas” (Gods). Mahisasur threw out the Gods from Heaven. Since Mahisasura could not be defeated by any man, the Gods created Durga an avatar of Goddess Parvati or Shakti. Maa Durga defeated the “Asuras” (Demons) and fought a long 9 day battle with Mahisasura, finally killing him on the tenth day.
Famous Navrati Dandiya Raas and Garba Rass Songs
Popular Navratri Garba and Dandya Raas songs are “Dholi Taro”, “Aavo Ramva Raas”, “Nagar Nand ji Na Laal”, “Hu tau Gai ti Mele”, etc
Clothes for Navratri, Garba Raas Dance and Dandia Raas
Young girls and ladies wear colourful ethnic Gujarati style “Chaniya Choli”, “Ghagra Choli”, “Lehenga Choli” and sarees. Metal jewellery is often worn and so are white bangles on the forearms and biceps.
On top, boys and men wear the traditional Gujarati Kurta, called “Zabbho” or “Kedia” (“Kediya”) and on the bottom a Pajama or Dhoti called “Dhotiyu” or “Lehanghas”. Men also wear a “Pagdee” (Turban).
Dandiya Raas and Garba Dance Schools in Mumbai
Just before Navratri, many of Mumbai’s Dance Schools/Academies/Trainers provide Dandiya and Garba Ras dance classes. This is a list of some of the Garba Raas and Dandiya dance training classes in Mumbai.
Rohit Poojary Dance Academy (Borivali)
Twins Dance Art Studios (Ghatkopar East)
Gurudev Natraj Studio (MG Road, Ghatkopar East)
Ball Balley Dance Group (Oshiwara)
Rangeela Ras Garba (D P Road, Kandivali)
S Art and Dance Academy (Parel)
Aliens Dance Club (Merwanji Road, Parel)
Verve Dance Academy (Bandra East)
Rockstar Dance Studios (SV Road, Malad West)
Shilpkar Fitness & Dance Classes (Kurar Village, Malad East)
Shree Natraj Institute of Performing Art Dance, Yoga & Fitness (Mahila Mandal Hall, Pantanagar, Ghatkopar East)
D Element (Girgaon)
Piyush Dance Academy (Kalyan)
Dee One Dance Academy (Sector 3, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai)
National Institute of Cine Excellence (Sector 30, Vashi)
Rhythm Riders Dance Academy (Dombivli East)
Goddess Worshipped On Each Day Of Navratri
Navratri is the festival of Goddess Durga (Shakti). Goddess Parvati is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. On each of the nine days of Navratri a different form or incarnation of Goddess Durga is worshipped. Also, there is a colour associated with each day of Navratri. The Nine Durgas (“NavaDurgas”) worshipped on Navratri are as follows:
Shailputri Is Worshipped On The First Day Of Navratri
Shailputri means “Daughter of Mountain” (meaning the Himalayas). Goddess Shailputri represents action. For the first day of Navaratri the colour is Red.
Brahmacharini Is Worshipped On Second Day Of Navratri
Brahmacharini is the incarnation of Goddess Parvati (Durga), who seeks knowledge. Brahmacharini symbolizes peace and calm. Blue is the colour for the second day of Navratri.
Chandraghanta Is Worshipped On Third Day Of Navratri
Parvati with a half-moon (third eye) on her forehead is called “Chandraghanta” (also known as Chandika and Rannchandi). This avatar of Goddess Parvati stands for beauty and bravery. Yellow is the colour of the day.
Kushmanda Is Worshipped On The Fourth Day Of Navratri
It is believed Goddess Kushmanda is the incarnation of Goddess Durga that created the universe. Green is the colour for the fourth day of Navratri.
SkandaMata Is Worshipped On The Fifth Day Of Navratri
This incarnation of Goddess Durga is the mother of Skanda/Kartikeya, hence the name Skanda-Mata. She depicts a mother’s strength, especially in the protection of her child. The colour for the fifth day of Navaratri is Grey.
Goddess Katyayani Is Worshipped On Sixth Day Of Navratri
Katyayani is the Warrior form of Goddess Durga. Not surprising Orange is the colour for the sixth day of Navratri.
Kalaratri Is Worshipped On The Seventh Day Of Navratri
Kalaratri is the most aggressive incarnation of Goddess Durga/Shakti. In this evil destroying incarnation, her skin is black, hence she is called “Kalaratri”. White is the colour for the seventh day of Navaratri.
Mahagauri Is Worshipped On The Eighth Day Of Navratri
Mahagauri is the fair-complexioned avatar of Goddess Parvati. Pink is the colour of the eighth day of Navratri.
Siddhidatri Is Worshipped On The Ninth Day Of Navratri
Siddhidatri is the incarnation of Goddess Durga/Parvati that grants divine ability. Light Blue represents the colour of the ninth day of Navratri.
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IMAGES:
- Image 1: Image by FrenchKheldar. Image licensed under Creative Commons license Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
- Image 2: Garba dancers perform in Ambaji temple premises. Image by Anurag Agnihotri. Image licensed under Creative Commons license Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
- Image 3: Image by Restless mind. Image licensed under Creative Commons license Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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