Gujarat’s Grand Navratri Celebrations Led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
The Gujarat Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is organizing grand Navratri cultural programs at nine temples in the state, including the renowned Ambaji and Bahucharaji Shaktipeeths. The state’s Department of Youth Services and Cultural Activities will host the festival from October 3rd to October 11th at the Ambaji Shaktipeeth in Banaskantha district, Gujarat.
The celebrations will be led by Minister of Cultural Activities, Mulubhai Hardasbhai Bera. One-day cultural programs will also be held at seven other temple sites dedicated to the Goddess (Mataji) across the state. These temples are vital centers of devotion and faith, holding a prominent place in India’s Hindu spiritual tradition.
Events are scheduled for October 4 at the Shri Harsiddhi Mata Temple in Devbhoomi Dwarka; on October 5 at both the Shri Umiya Mata Temple in Unjha (Mehsana district) and the Shri Ashapura Mata Temple in Kutch; on October 7 at the Shri Mahakali Temple in Pavagadh (Panchmahal); on October 8 at the Shri Bhadrakali Temple in Ahmedabad; and on October 9 at the Shri Chamunda Mata Temple in Chotila (Surendranagar) and the Shri Modheshwari Mata Temple in Modhera (Mehsana).
The ‘Vibrant Navratri Festival,’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Gujarat Chief Minister, has become a hallmark of the state’s rich cultural heritage. Garba, a celebrated symbol of Gujarat’s pride, has recently been recognized by UNESCO as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage.’
To mark the auspicious occasion of Navratri, the Gujarat government has made grand arrangements at Shakti Peeths and various other temples, ensuring that more devotees can partake in the worship of the Goddess and fully experience this divine festival. During the nine-day Navratri festival, Garba performances will take place at the Shri Harsiddh Mata Temple on October 4, led by the esteemed singer Farida Mir, and at the Shri Bhadrakali Temple in Ahmedabad on October 8, featuring the renowned singer Arvind Vegda. Additionally, several singers will entertain Garba enthusiasts at seven additional temples. The Department of Sports, Youth, and Cultural Activities has urged the people to participate in these programs.
Doubts Revealed
Navratri -: Navratri is a festival celebrated in India for nine nights, where people worship different forms of the goddess Durga and enjoy dancing and singing.
Chief Minister -: A Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, similar to a principal in a school but for the whole state.
Bhupendra Patel -: Bhupendra Patel is the current Chief Minister of Gujarat, which means he is the leader of the government in the state of Gujarat.
Ambaji and Bahucharaji Shaktipeeths -: These are famous temples in Gujarat where people go to worship goddesses. They are considered very holy and important.
Garba -: Garba is a traditional dance from Gujarat, where people dance in circles with clapping and twirling to celebrate Navratri.
UNESCO -: UNESCO is an international organization that helps protect important cultural and natural sites around the world. They said Garba is special and important.
Intangible Cultural Heritage -: This means something very important to a culture that you can’t touch, like a dance, song, or tradition, which needs to be protected and celebrated.