10 Avtaars of Goddess Durga for 10 festive days
A TRULY TRADITIONAL NAVRATRI AFFAIR!!
5lac GSB’s come together with all cultural ethos and religiosity at this most-pious celebration of Navratri
Anna Daan (Mahaprasad) Seva for everyone, 100 props, Deepotsav appeal for Mumbaikars with 10,000 Diyas, 100 Kg Vegetables adorned Annapoorna Devi & more!
Mumbai – 22nd September, 2017:
What is Navratri without the pious vedic chants, the Mahabhogs, the havans and religious hymns? A move beyond the flashy dandiya costumes, the season pass for your celebrated singer and the overrated live music with band, here’s the 5 lacs GSB Community members of Mumbai celebrating Navratri Utsav in a most pious & traditional way every year since last 10 years! In its 10th year now The GSB Navratri festival 2017 is a grand pandal erected on the 2 acre plot at The Saraswat Cultural Recreation Centre (GSB Garden), near N. L. Complex, Dahisar (E) from 21stSeptember 2017 to 30th September 2017. More than 1, 00, 000 devotees visit and participate in this 10 days grand celebration. “The festival has a one-of-its-kind way of celebrating the 10 auspicious days. We are the only organization in Maharashtra who create these different Avatars of the Devi on all the 10 days and celebrate the festival in a truly traditional way. The entire GSB Community in Maharashtra throng at the festivity to celebrate with oneness. Today’s avatar of Annapoorneshwari Devi is adorned with 100 kg of fruits & vegetables which will be used as prasad for the following days. The devi is seen wearing a traditional turban and has a large spoon in her hand”, said Mr. Uday Padiyar, General Secretary, GSB Sabha Dahisar – Borivali.
The huge pandal is hosting the 10 ‘avtaars or ‘swaroops’ of the goddess this year as per the holy panchang which includes Saraswati Devi (21st Sept), Annapoorna Devi (22ndSept), Vaishno Devi (23rd Sept), Durgaparameshwari Devi (24th Sept), Chamundeshwari (25th Sept), Shantadurga Devi (26th Sept), Chandika Devi (27thSept), Mahakali Devi (28th Sept), Mahalaxmi Devi (29th Sept) and Sharada Devi (30thSept).These Avatars are created by the artists from Mangalore & Mumbai and the members of the GSB Sabha with much efforts and devotion. Almost 100 props are used for the decoration and changing the looks and setting of each Avatar which includes giving an entire make-over for the murti, the backdrop, the costumes, the setting, the props like Saraswati Veena, Lotus of Mahalakshmi Devi, Devil of Mahakali Devi, Vegetables Décor for Annapoorna Devi and more. The idol is traditionally adorned with a golden crown and silver arch (prabhavali) created at Udupi (Karnataka).
“The community believes that all the devotees who come for Darshan of Goddess Durga should not be sent back with an empty stomach which is why the Sabha has been offering the Mahaprashad to every single person visiting. We are the only Navratri Utsav who has been doing
Anna Daan religiously for all the 10 days of Navratri since our inception in year 2008. Moreover as the idol of Shri Annapoorneshwari Devi which is decorated & adorned with 100 kg of vegetables; the Sabha members then use those vegetables in making a whole meal for the devotees as a prashad the consecutive days”, explains Mr. Uday Padiyar, General Secretary, GSB Sabha Dahisar –Borivali.
The festival is celebrated with all cultural ethos and religiosity. This function is of great significance and the 10 days celebration is famous for its Glory & Rituals. Every Afternoon and Night, post MahaAarti, Anna Daan (Maha Prasad) is served to all devotees. Furthermore, there are different Cultural Programs like BhajanSandhya, Classical Dance and Dramas etc. from 9 am to 10 pm every day. In addition there is Dandiya Raas every evening that is open for all devotees.
“On the eight day the Deepotsav is celebrated where the entire pandal is lit-up with 10,000 diyas and the Goddess embellishes the ‘Mahakali Avtaar’. The electric lights are switched off for an hour 7pm-8pm for Deepotsav where Mumbaikars are appealed to come and light a diya each. The Devi avatar is painted black by the artist and is again painted fair for the Chandika Devi Avtaar the following day. We at the mandal work the entire night and make the changes possible”, explains Mr. Padiyar.
The Sabha had a humble beginning dating back to the year 1986 when a small group of likeminded people of the community came together towards socially oriented causes especially in the field of educational assistance to needy but truly deserving children. GSB Sabha Dahisar - Borivali in its 25+ years of existence has made commendable progress in different fields especially supporting educational needs of economically deserving students. It gives underprivileged children and youth an opportunity to launch them into the dignified and bright future they deserve. The core objectives of the Sabha are: Education, Social and Medical activities and cultural activities.