September 24, 2025

Panaji and Bicholim are bubbling with joy as Navratri, the festival of nine nights, approaches with a blast of music, dance, and devotion! The Gujarati communities in Goa are all set to celebrate with their traditional flair. The Panaji Gujarati Samaj will host a lively dandiya and garba event on October 1 at the Community Hall in Taleigao. Rajesh Solanki, committee treasurer, shares, "We are expecting a massive turnout as a competition will be held to determine the best dancers." Imagine rows of colorful dancers swirling to beats that echo happiness and cultural pride! But the festivities are not just in Panaji. Temples in Bicholim started their Navratri celebrations on Monday and will keep the spirit alive until October 1. Everyone eagerly awaits the grand finale on October 2, the day of Dusshera, featuring the spectacular Taranga procession of Lord Ravalnath and Bhutnath. This procession is a feast for the eyes, filled with tradition and enthusiasm. Adding a special touch to the celebrations is the Makharotsav festival from the day of Panchami to Dashmi. During Makharotsav, the goddess sits inside a dome-shaped makhar and enjoys a swing. Usually, the swing moves left to right and back and forth. But at the Mahamaya Kalika Sansthan temple in Kasarpal, things get extra magical! Besides the usual swinging, the goddess is given a special round swing that captivates all attendees. Here’s the amazing part — on Panchami day, the goddess completes five rounds. Then, from Shashti to Navami, she gets an additional round each day, so by Navami, she swings through a breathtaking nine rounds! This unique ritual is a shining jewel in Goa's Navratri crown, drawing many to witness the divine spectacle. So mark your calendars, bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to dive into Goa's colorful, vibrant Navratri celebrations full of faith, fun, and fantastic energy!

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Tags: Navratri, Goa, Gujarati samaj, Dandiya, Garba, Makharotsav,