The H-Town Navaratri Factory Frenzy
I have been told several times by people visiting from India that we, in the USA, celebrate Navaratri (the Indian Festival celebrated right at the onset of Fall) in a much bigger fashion than folks in India. The festival is celebrated in different ways (and for different reasons) in many parts of India. All have an underlying theme of victory of good over evil or victory over our senses. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the celebration includes a Garba (a wonderful, fast paced, and sinuous dance) which is the celebration of 9 forms of shakti (Goddess Durga ) . For Punjabis, Ashtami (the 8th day) is celebrated by giving food and gifts to 9 Kanyas (young girls) in a ceremony called KanchKe . The Bengalis conduct a huge Durga puja with a procession of the Devi - an amalgamation of the 9 forms of shakti also known as Durga . People from other North Indian states celebrate Dussehra during this time to celebrate Lord Rama's fight (9 days) and final victory on the 10th day against