Festivals In September
Navratri
Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans nine nights (and ten days) and is celebrated every year in the autumn. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian cultural sphere. Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri that is the most observed in the honor of the divine feminine Devi (Durga). The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.
Vardaini Pali
Rupal village celebrates a unique festival on the ninth day of the great festival Navratri (Indian Festival of Praying to 9 different Goddesses and Dandiya Dance). On the night of the ninth day, a “Rath” of Mata Vardayini is taken out from the middle of the village and brought to the main temple.
People of the village say that this festival was started by the “Pandavs”in the time of Mahabharat. People come to the village and do prayer for their family and mainly their small children.
The “Palli” is a made from the wood of tree “khijada” on the same day itself. It is a wooden frame of about 8–9 feet in height with a stand to lift it. Holy fire (Akand Jyoth) is kept at 5 places on the frame, one at the top and others at the four corners of the Palli.
Gujarat Festival in September
| Oct 02, Saturday | Mahatma Gandhi Jayanthi |
| Oct 03, Sunday | Sukkot (Yahudi) |
| Oct 06, Wednesday | Shahadat E Imam Hasan |
| Oct 15, Friday | Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) |
| Oct 19, Tuesday | Eid-e-Miladunnabi |
| Oct 24, Sunday | Id-e-Maulud (Muslim Shiya) |
| Oct 31, Sunday | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Birthday |
Places to Visit in September
Vadodara
The city of Vadodara (formerly Baroda in English and in some Indian languages other than Gujarati) stands in Central Gujarat, a region with a long history of human activity and settlement, testified by archaeological evidences dating from a couple of centuries before the Current Era. It evolved at the intersection of important overland trade routes leading to the Arabian Sea on the west and the interior areas of north, central and southern India. In different eras, its rulers were from the north, north-west and south – Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Muslim – until it came under British colonial influence in the early 19th century, and was merged with the Indian Union after the British left in 1947. In varying degrees, each of these eras left an impression on the place, contributing to its cultural heritage.
The best way to immerse in a destination is to get familiar with history and feel the vibrancy in the presence! I will take you through the rich history of Vadodara in a 2 hour 30 minute walk through the old city where you will also get familiar with culture, religions, monuments, cuisines, etc. This time is designed to completely immerse you in the heritage and the presence.
