South Florida is home to a large Hindu community, and every fall, various celebrations fill the local temples and community centers.
Navratri (nine nights) marks a vibrant and joyful Hindu celebration, and this year, it will begin on October 17th. The festival is a celebration of the divine feminine principle Shakti. One of the core beliefs of Hinduism, pluralism, exemplifies that the divine can manifest itself in different forms as is exemplified during Navratri.
The first three days are dedicated to GoddessDurga, the next three to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth; and the last three days are for Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning and wisdom. The last day, the tenth, Dussehra, is for celebrating the triumphs of good over evil.
During the evenings, Hindus get together and dance. Garba, Gujarat’s traditional folk dance, is performed, and so is Dandiya-raas. In Garba, dancers move in a circle around a picture or representation of Durga (creative energy).
Garba involves vigorous movements such as jumping, fl ailing the arms, rhythmically clapping, twirling, and stepping in sync. Dandiya-raas involves two circles moving in opposite directions. The outer circle moves counterclockwise while the inner circle moves clockwise. Each woman strikes her dandiyas, wooden sticks, with those of the woman in the other circle, then they both move on.
Dancing helps express joyousness, togetherness, and reverence for womanhood. Many women fast and pray throughout the nine days to Goddess Shakti. Many also place books, instruments, and tools before Goddess Saraswati as they wish for her to bless them with talent, knowledge, and inspiration.
Although the celebrations this year will be different and may not be as community-centered as previous years, Hindus will still feel together and spread spiritually as they celebrate on their own to show persistence against the current challenges, like Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
By Yash Patel