India's western state of Gujarat gets ready to welcome Goddess Durga, as the nine -day-long Navratri festival begins with great fervour and gaiety. The word Navratri, is derived from the ancient Sanskrit word 'nine nights' and culminates on the tenth day, known as Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil.
It is that time of the year, when people of Gujarat gear up to welcome Goddess Durga to their homes. The nine-day-long Navratri festival is celebrated with huge fervour and gaiety to honour goddess and her nine forms. Scores of Hindu devotees fast, pray and dance to please the mother goddess during Navratri.
The festival is marked with dhol, garba and dandiya, where women and men dressed in vibrant costumes perform the folk dance to celebrate these nine days. The grand celebrations generally start in the evening and extends till late night.
Weather during Navratri
This year, the festivities will commence from 25th September and will continue till the 3rd of October. The festival, this season, does not see any threat from rains unlike last year where Garba grounds were flooded and celebrations were cancelled owing to bad weather conditions.
The Southwest monsoon has commenced its withdrawal and has already phased out of Kutch region. And the present weather conditions are favourable for further withdrawal of monsoon from Saurashtra and Gujarat. According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the province will witness dry weather conditions except South Gujarat and adjoining Coastal Gujarat, which might see some light rainfall activity towards this weekend. However, it will majorly remain dry. Surat, Valsad, Navsari, Bharuch and Bhavnagar are some of the areas of coastal Gujarat, which might witness little precipitation during the beginning of next week.
On account of withdrawal of monsoon and the recent autumnal equinox, entire Gujarat region, particularly Kutch and North Gujarat, will experience second spell of summers lasting for about a fortnight. During this period, day temperatures are expected to rise to mid 30s and might even touch 40 degrees at few places. However, night temperatures will remain comfortable around mid 20s. As per Skymet, people can experience a flavour of chill during late night and early morning hours.
