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"!!!!!!