Mobility...SMC Style!

Interesting initiative taken by Surat Muncipal Corporation... a Mobile Toilet Van which can be carted around to venues, providing a clean option for events held at public places where toilets may not be available.

Chandni Padva...Ghaari, Bhusu...

One of the most unique, and looked forward to is the first day of the 14 day countdown to Diwali... "Chandni Padva" celebrated by Surtis in true Surti "spirits"!! A special sweet called Ghaari is made in tons n tons, and relished on this day alone. Nowhere else would you see people standing in queue's, and literally fighting their way to get Ghaari & Bhusu from their favourite Jamnadas Ghariwala & Ramji Damodar.
"Ghaari" in all its sweet, ghee enriched glory!! Surti's throng the road from Athwa Lines to Dumas, Farmhouses, Terraces, are all venues for family/friends to get together at nite and relish Ghaari/Bhusu under moonlight... Obviously the "spirits" run high too!

Salabatpura Tadwali Sheri..

These are pictures of a unique event taking place once a year on the 8th day of the Hindu Aaso month in Tadwali Sheri in Salabatpura area. A time honoured tradition carried out by the Ghariwala family, where the picture of a Godess (Chanchri Mata) is installed on a small Red Stand for that day. The offerings are unique.... either "Sugarcane" or "Notebooks & Ballpens". Its believed that offering Sugarcane to the Goddess cures you of Diabetes, and offering Notebooks/Ballpens ensures children study well...!!

Flowers in Nanpura..

Early morning in Nanpura Timaliyawad... Festive season round the corner?

Gods for sale...

A few areas of Surat including Majura Gate, have become "Idol Junctions" where artisans make seasonal idols... While the unsold Amba Mata idols lay discarded now that Navratri is over. Its back to Sai Baba in technicolor!

Ravana... Up and ready!

He's finally up and awaiting the flaming arrows of Ram...!! A very interesting order was relayed by the organisers you see seated below the Ravana to the workers before they got into their cars and broke for Lunch, while I was taking these pics... "Arrey Bhaiyya, zara Ravana ko thik thak kar lena... aur us pe jo bhi taangna vaangna ho to shaam se pehle taang dena!!"

The arsenal...

Artisans brought in from Mathura painstakingly creating the "arsenal" that would demolish the very Ravana they created... Dichotomy couldnt get any precise, where the artisans create the Ravana, and also ready the arsenal to set him ablaze!

Ravana in the making...

You would get to see pictures of Ravana in the papers on the day after Dussehra..going up in flames, and resolve to burn all the evils in your life too, but I decided to find out how the evil entered in the first place!! Here's an insight into the kind of labour that went into the "making of Ravana" in Surat. Painstakingly put together by craftsmen brought in from Mathura... and destined to go up in flames in nothing more than a minute!

Durgasthami...

Rest you think I went off to Kolkata, the venue is Kadamb Bhawan in Nanpura, and a lovely pandal created by the Bengalis settled in Surat to celebrate Durga Pooja. People from all over India have come to Surat, and given it a national flavor.

Sheri Garba 2

The Rangoli's and Pandals of Goddess Amba as created by the Rana Community, which is a very closed knit one, mostly centred in Ranawad (Golwad) near Kotsafil Road. Very rarely do outsiders venture into this area, and see these sights.

Sheri Garba...

If you happen to be anywhere near Kotsafil Road in Old City area, you would see the famous Rana Community who are experts at Zari Thread making. They are skilled craftsmen, whose belief in Navratri, and Goddess Amba is worth a sight. Entire streets are taken up, and amazing "saathiyas" or "rangoli" is created, oil lamps lighted, women and men dressed in their festive best perform the traditional "Garba" as is evident in these pics. An interesting fact, is they prefer to sing various "garbas" themselves, compared to the recorded music preferred by others.

Colors of Navratri....

While on the one side, its traditionally attired dancers, the other side is for the general public.. no one can resist the festive mood and become part of what is touted as the Longest Festival of the World!

DJ Round..

In keeping with the times, most Garba venues have the "DJ Round". The GenerationNext simply loves to freakout on the latest chartbusters and let go!

Budding Dancer!

A wannabe Garba dancer...and the dad looking on hopefully !

Navratri..........

Navratri 2008 in all its colorful glory!

The Navratri Umbrella (Chatri)

The young ones taking a breather !

Gujlish...!!

Typically Surti "Gujlish"... Just couldnt resist clicking a sale of "Rejected Door Mates"!!!!!!