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.