Navratri is massive and extraordinary affair in Hindu religion, it is celebrated with great zeal and vigour across parts of India.
The central theme of Navratri is worshipping nine-forms of Shakti which help to restore and secure humans from evil forces.
The victory of good over evil forces
The nine days of Navratri are action packed, there are many events happening during this time like lighting of auspicious joyth (lamp), vivid performance of garba, dandiya (astounding dancing patterns from Gujarat), commemorating annual visit of the Goddess to her parents. I’m sure you can imagine the hustle-bustle of Navratri.
Here I’m attempting to showcase Namma City’s take on Durga Puja.
Places visited
The Bengalee Association
Located at Ulsoor, the warmth of the Bong Community is signature at this place. The pendal is situated over a big open space with ample of parking available. Bong Community makes sure that we feel like we are at Bengal with all their festivity.
Patel’s Inn
Located at RT Nagar, its location is quite unique, because generally Patel’s Inn is synonyms with go karting but during Navratri they host the abode of Durga.
Rajarajeshwari Devi
Located at little far off central Bangalore at Rajarajeshwari Nagar, it is an ancient temple of Durga. Temple celebrates Navratri by decorating the idol of Durga in different forms and also hosts homas (havans) during these nine days inside the temple area.
The temple is jam packed with devotees during this time.
Our driving force — Food
I guess no celebrations at any part of world is ever complete without food, so Navratri also is not an exception. Let me take you through the food stalls that I came across during my visits to the pendals.
There are amazing non-veg delicacies from Bengali pendals, as you can see all of them where tantalising. You can enjoy hot hot luchi (puri) with mutton, chicken or aloo curry, else you can take a dig at Bengali signature fish preparations like ilish macher jhol, fish cutlet or prawns these are hottest selling items.
Staggering big handis carrying fragrant mutton biriyani and big tawas for preparing kathi rolls, those aromas can drive you towards grabbing them.
You indeed have options for veg items too and counters serving singhada (samosa), puchka, chats and jalebi.
Finally for digestion sake you can go for a meetha pan.
Rock Show
Bong’s fetish with music is not a surprise and hence we have rock shows with full blown crew members rocking crowd with popular Bengali numbers. Did not understand them lyrically but nonetheless the numbers where sounding great.
Intricate pendal decorations
Lavish and elaborate designs are used to decorate Durga idols and pedals, the passion of devotees can be gauged when you look at them. I can bet, you would be spellbound and awestruck visiting them like myself.
Final Thoughts
Namma City hosts Navratri with all its glory and magnificence, it dances to dandiya welcomes its daughter and embraces her does homa for prasing her.
Please share your experiences and moments that you cherish about Navratri in Namma City, use our comments section for starting a discussion.
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