Reasons why Garba is performed in Navratri

We have always been aware of the fact that Navratri is the festival of bringing Goddess Durga to home, offering her our prayers, enjoying the nine days by playing Garba, smashing each other in fun with red vermillion, fasting, eat healthy food and many such things are associated with this festival.

 But there is also a ritual of bringing Garba along with goddess to home. The actual term for this process is Garbo, an earthen pot that is decorated and a lamp is lighted inside it. You can find Garbo place near the idol of Goddess in homes, big Garba or dandiya grounds.

What is Garbo?

Navratri is not only about Garba dance, it is also known for Garbo a decorative earthen pot. The post is kept with idol of Goddess Durga along with a lamp lighted inside it. As people bring Ganesha and Goddess Durga idol home, similarly Garbo is also brought home and people decorate and worship it with love and care. 

Significance of Garbo

The tradition of bringing Garbo is practised in almost all the homes of Gujarati. But currently, other communities have also started to adopt this practice. This earthen pot symbolizes the universe and the lamp inside is considered as God. In nutshell, Garbo signifies that god is present in the universe. 

Another meaning of Garbo is Garbha i.e womb. It is dedicated to Goddess Amba who is the protector of entire world and she keeps all her children in the warmth of her shadow. The lamp inside the pot symbolizes a baby who grows in the womb of her mother. Navratri is celebrated for all the famine in the world who start fighting for their rights since birth.

How to decorate Garbo

The Garbo is sometimes decorated with small beads, artificial mirrors, bells, decorative cloth. Sometimes it is kept simple to not lose its original value. Nowadays you can find Garbo in all the novelty stores in various forms, types and colours. You can get any as per your choice and preference.

This Navratri bring the Garbo home, decorate it and pray for all the happiness, wealth and energy in the world so that no problem and difficulty can stand in front of you for a longer time!

Post by Ritika Arora: Content Writer, MyTravaly