Today is Navratri - day 8 & 9

Navratri – Day 2 of the festival.

Day 2 of this festival is dedicated to Brahmacharini (a derivative of Lord Brama – the creator),  we left on the 8.30pm bus from the PG campus in Ghandhinagar  and travelled the 37km to the Paldi campus where the celebrations are taking place all week long.  The mood on the bus was electric, everyone dressed traditionally, singing and dancing as the bus travelled through the city.  It was hard not be excited, the atmosphere was contagious.

Hannah and I had managed to change our clothes for better fitting outfits, and were dressed in salwar suits, with silver jewellery that jingled with each step. As we pulled up to the campus we could see candles lighting up the path and hear the distant sound of drumming. Walking down to the field we could see the saree’s sparkle in the candlelight, as everyone followed down the path. As we arrived, there were yet more candles, lights strung up, drumming, and singing.

Piles of shoes were dotted across the large field, and a huge circle marked out by flags was clear in the middle of the area. In the centre of this circle was a stage, with various drummers and singers. The music had already started when we arrived and there were families and friends milling about, getting drinks and food, chatting or practicing the traditional dance.

It was amazing. People slowly started to dance, at first a few people starting the circle, but the numbers soon grew to 2 rows of dancers, all dancing around the centre stage; crowds of people watching.

The colours and the atmosphere were so amazing, even the boys attempted the dance. Hannah and I will give it a go another night, it was very complicated – each group of dancers were performing a slightly different version, depending on the area they grew up.

The celebrations carry on throughout the week until the last night on Saturday and we have been told the last 2 nights will be heaving – with thousands of people gathering. I cannot wait!

We got the bus back at 1am, and the celebrations continued, dancing and music on the bus all the way back. Our group had an early start this morning, as we had an appointment at the Calico Museum. It was clear to see we were all exhausted!

The museum has sample of materials, embroidery and dresses from throughout the ages from all areas of India. It was incredibly interesting to see which area of India specialised in which technique and where they were shipped.

We came back to campus to work on our projects and have a nap – cutting out the hottest part of the day!

C xxx