Surat : Amidst the growing urbanization of Surat, a local area namely Adajan is keeping the traditional Garba alive. For the past 50 years, the Siddheshwar Yuvak Mandal has been organizing Navratri celebrations in the temple of self-manifested Shri Siddheshwari Mataji, where three generations of people come together to play Garba to the tune of Mata devotional songs.
This is in stark contrast to the modern Garba celebrations that are held in other parts of Surat, where people perform Garba to film songs. In Adajan, the atmosphere is far from the madding crowd, and people come to watch the Garba with reverence and devotion.
Dharmesh Patel, a member of the Siddheshwar Yuvak Mandal, says that everyone from children to elders of Adajan participates in the Garba celebrations. "It is a priceless moment for us to come together and worship the Mother Goddess," he says.
Many youths of Adajan locality live abroad and in other states and cities, but they make sure to come back during Navratri to perform Garba. "It is a tradition that we have been following for generations," says Tejas Patel, another member of the Mandal.
The Siddheshwar Yuvak Mandal is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year, and they are all excited to keep the tradition of traditional Garba alive. "We want to show the world that the real Garba is the one that is performed to devotional songs," says Tejas Patel.
The traditional Garba of Adajan is a reminder that even in the midst of urbanization, there are still places where people are keeping their cultural traditions alive. It is a celebration of faith, devotion, and community.
