Navratri has finally begun, and as an Amdavadi, it’s my favourite time of the year! From juggling passes and finding the perfect Garba event to dancing late into the night, there’s so much to look forward to. Gujarat has always been one of the best places to celebrate Navratri, and it is home to some unique Garba events that many of us may not know about. One such event is Mashal Raas. A content creator recently gave us a glimpse of this unique celebration. Scroll down to see!
Inside Mashal Raas In Gujarat
Photographer Roshani Shah (@roshagulla) is always on the hunt to give us a glimpse of breathtaking moments that we often miss out on. Now, as Navratri has begun, her curiosity took her to one of Gujarat’s unique Garba events, Mashal Raas! To witness this event, she took a train and travelled 800 km to reach Jamnagar.
In the video, she also gave us a glimpse of what this Garba event looks like, and it was thrilling, dangerous, and awe-inspiring to watch. We can see men holding mashals and dancing, giving a powerful performance. They also dance around sparks of fire on the ground, making the entire performance look thrilling and giving us chills.
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What Is Special About The Garba Event?
Mashal Raas happens every year in Jamnagar. It was started in 1957 by Shri Patel Yuvak Garbi Mandal. For nearly 70 years, this dance has been performed to worship Goddess Durga. Unlike Garba, where people dance with their hands free, dancers hold mashals (burning torches) during this dance. There is also a part of the performance where they dance on glowing embers without flinching.
While performing this dance, the dancers wear traditional Gujarati clothes called Kediun-Choyani. They form two circles, with one group moving clockwise and the other moving in the opposite direction, creating a mesmerising experience.
Next, when you’re in Gujarat for Navratri, don’t miss this unique dance!
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Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/ @roshagulla