NAVRATRI MAHOTSAV - UNJHA

Navratri, one of the major festivals, holds in honor of the divine feminine. 'Nava' means ‘nine,’ and ‘Ratri' means 'night’, Navratri occurs over nine nights during the month of Ashvin (as per Hindu calendar). This nine nights is that time of the year when people get the deep rest, which brings freedom from all kinds of botherations, deep relaxation, and creativity. Navratri is the time for worship of Devi, where Devi represents the omnipresent energy. It is believed that the prosperity that we enjoy in our daily lives is a manifestation of Devi and Devi Puja is the expression of expanded consciousness showing reverence to the whole creation. The main purpose of attending the puja is to give up all our worldly activities for a while and enter into deep meditation. Fasting, meditation, prayers, and other spiritual practices performed during this period help bring the deep rest.Devi is worshiped in nine forms known as ‘Nava Durga’. The importance of each day of Navratri is attached to a form of the mother divine. On the first day of Navratri, Devi Shailaputri is worshipped. In this form, Devi Parvati is revered as the daughter of Himalaya Raja. Shaila means extraordinary or rising to great heights. The divine consciousness represented by Devi always surges from the peak. Subsequently from second to seventh day, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri is worshipped during the auspicious time. On the ninth day, the last day of Navratri, Devi Siddhidatri is worshipped. Siddhi means perfection and it is believed that devi Siddhidatri makes the impossible, possible. Every year during the Navratri, Mahotsav is being organized at the Shree Umiya Mataji Ground, Unjha, Mehsana. According to the mythological tale, Maa Umiya was established by Lord Shankar himself at Unjha. In the year 156 BC Vikram Samvat- 212, King Vrajpal Sinhji constructed the temple. But the current temple was made with the contribution from each house Patidar Community house in the vikram samvat 1943. The construction of the temple was started by Shri Ram Chandra Mansukh Lal and after him, Shri Rav Bhahdur Bechardas Lashkari continued to construct the temple. Contribution was made by the Gaikwads Government and also by Patdi Darbar in these endeavors. The representatives of Gaikwad were present during the vastupujan of the temple, and they offered clothes to the deity. In the year 1894 AD, the Man Sarovar was built. The place holds immense historic value and offers an exceptional experience to the visitors of the temple. Navratri Mahotsav is celebrated by lakhs of devotees in the temple premises; the place is lit up with colourful lights during the occasion. Pooja and Aarti are offered to the Maa Durga every day and it becomes one of the main attraction points of Mehsana. Garba, a special form of local dance, is being performed during all nine days of the celebration.