Garba and Durga Pooja in National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Here in Gujarat Navaratri is celebrated in a very grand manner. People dance every night in large gatherings. A very powerful music is played (using Indian percussion instruments). Both men and women usually wear colorful costumes while performing garba. The girls and the women wear ghaghra choli, a three-piece dress with choli on the top and ghaghra as bottom, made of cotton with beads, shells, mirrors, sitars, and embroidery work, mati, jhumkas, necklaces, bindi, bajubandh, chudas and kangans, kamarbandh, payal, and mojiris and dupatta tucked in the Gujarati manner. Boys and men wear kafni pyjamas with a kediyu - a short round kurta - above the knees and pagadi on the head with bandhini dupatta, kada, and mojiris.

Here in NID, Garba is celebrated in a very grand manner. The first 8 days were usual garba dances where people from different parts of Ahmedabad come and joined. Every student gets a pass to bring in 4 guests. Thus a lot of family members, friends and “friends” join the dance. People really have fun.

The last day is celebrated in a very special manner.. There is this “Diya Dance” where every student carries two diyas and dances Garba. All the lights nearby were switched off. The ambiance was amazing ! totally dark and hundreds of people dancing with lights in their hand. Heavy Mystic Music. That experience can never be shared or explained.. It can only be felt.. I am thankful and happy that I attended and was a part of it.

These are the Diya decorations in the entrance.... nearly 20-30 such installations were made..
It gave a very warm welcome to everyone..

Long distance view... (with slow shutter speed)

Durga pooja installation in NID