Arya Aishwarya

Cultural Anthropology

To study the facets of navratri festival along various parameters - tangible and intangible.The study is limited to the cept campus- as the campus in itself envelopes various layers to it. Unfolding each layer and orienting its intent to the festival. The tangible factors deals with parameters of people participation, the idol bringing in the religious aspect The intangible factors will be studied with the study of light, food, attire and many more. Nine nights of dancing seem to be the main agenda in Ahmedabad during Navratri. These commemorate the Mother goddess, who slayed Mahishasura, an evil demon. Legends and mythology apart, in the modern context, Navratri is synonymous with endless feasts and organised dance sessions of garba and raas in fairgrounds Walking along the night market of Law Garden becomes a difficult affair, with activas lined along the road, flock of people bargaining with shopkeepers over chaniya cholis, dupattas, jewellery. This marks the nearing of the world’s longest dance festival of rotation and revolution, and the festival most looked forward to by most Amdavadi’s - NAVRATRI. The entire city echoes with the rhythmic beats of the garba music.Over years the CEPT garba has gained popularity, from being a small college event it has turned into a large scale city event with people preferring CEPT as a venue to celebrate navratri over other venues in city.