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Kareena Patel whirls to Garba beats during celebrations on Monday.
It was a twist of music, dance, dedication and party as Garbage (dance) lovers came to Palmerston North to celebrate Navratri.
For nine days, people from different parts of India, dressed in colorful clothes, gather in the Senior Citizen’s Hall at 8 p.m. to dance the night away.
The celebrations have attracted more than 300 people since the nine-day Hindu festival began on September 26. The celebrations will continue through Wednesday.
Palmerston North resident Kareena Patel said it was her favorite time of year.
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Women dress in traditional Indian outfits and perform Garba during Navratri celebrations.
“I wait all year to play Garba. I just love it.
“I don’t have to go to Auckland or Wellington to enjoy Navratri celebrations. Everything is just here.”
Paul Patel said the celebrations were a huge stress buster after two years of battling the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Navratri celebrations bring families together to celebrate their culture and let the young people who were born here in New Zealand know their traditions, roots and identity.”
The vigorous dance was a great workout for the mind and body, he said.
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Central Districts Indian Association member Ushaben Mansukhlal Kubavat and President Anita Naran.
“Navratri time is a vacation from the stress of everyday life.
“Everyone here radiates energy and verve.”
Ushaben Mansukhlal Kubavat, of the Central District Indian Association, was the driving force behind the celebrations.
She has been organizing Navratri evenings in the city since 1976.
“Navratri celebrations are very important to us.
“The Goddess is so powerful that it gives people so much energy to dance around for hours [the goddess figure and lit lamp].”
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Women, men and children gather to perform Garba in a circle.
She said that the dancing had great significance because it honored the woman and showed their devotion to the mother goddess.
Association president Anita Naran said Garba connected communities.
“People, regardless of age, gender, religion and ethnicity, can gather during these celebrations.
“If we can celebrate Navratri on a large scale, we can attract more people. Our dream is to one day celebrate Navratri and Garba in The Square to bring more cultures to the event.”
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Kareena Patel says this is her best time of the year.
If she could perform Garba in a public space like Te Marae o Hine/The Square, it would encourage others to learn about her culture, she said.
Garba originated in the Gujarat region of India and is traditionally performed during Navratri celebrations by dancing in a large circle around decorated lamps and a goddess figure.
Navratri generally spanned 10 days and nine nights to honor the Mother Goddess and celebrate the power of good over evil, with the 10th day being celebrated as the victorious day.
The celebrations are open and free to attend.
Shilpy Arora/Things
Anita Naran, president of the Central Districts Indian Association, has been organizing Navratri evenings in the city since 1976.