Navratri / Garba Festival at India Square, Jersey City w/Veg*n Dinner

**Join us in the vibrant and enchanting world of Navratri celebrations in the heart of Jersey City, New Jersey!** In 2023, India Square in Jersey City is set to come alive with the joyous rhythms of Navratri, one of India’s most spirited and colorful festivals. This annual extravaganza promises to be a captivating fusion of traditional Indian culture and modern excitement, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the triumph of good over evil through dance, music, and devotion. **Every year in Jersey City, along Newark Avenue, there is a huge Navratri / Garba Festival that draws more than 10,000 people. It is an inexpensive ($5) and excellent event that is easily accessible to New Yorkers via Path Train. A festival toll gate is set up around 8:00pm, and if we eat dinner early we may already be inside of it. We will see what happens, but be prepared to pay $5 if you need to.**

From the official website: “Newark Avenue, in the township of Jersey City, New Jersey sets a unique example during **Navratri, where more than fifteen thousand men, women and children play Garba-Raas on the street, all throughout the night, every night for 4-6 nights – a rare spectacle to be observed**.” Website address: [http://www.indiasquare.org](http://www.indiasquare.org)

2022 Navratri Photos: [https://www.facebook.com/IndiaSquare.NavaratriCelebrations/photos](https://www.facebook.com/IndiaSquare.NavaratriCelebrations/photos)

**Directions and WHERE TO MEET US:** **Take the PATH train to Journal Square in Jersey City. From Manhattan you can get on the JOURNAL SQUARE-bound train (NOT the Hoboken train) at 33rd Street & 6th Avenue (in the 34th Street subway station), or at other Manhattan PATH train stops.** When you exit the Journal Square PATH Train station, you will be directly on John F Kennedy Blvd. **Walk north along John F Kennedy Blvd three blocks to Newark Ave.** That is where the Garba/Navratri Festival is across Newark Avenue. **You will see a big White Castle Restaurant — on the corner of Newark Ave and John F Kennedy Blvd (it is on John F Kennedy Blvd). Do NOT go inside the White Castle. Our group will be meeting between 7:00pm and 7:15pm IN FRONT OF the White Castle at 2995 John F Kennedy Blvd. We will be holding a “VEG MEETUP” sign. Don’t be late!** After meeting, we will all walk a few feet to the Garba/Navratri Festival on Newark Avenue.

**See you there, in front of the White Castle, between 7:15pm and 7:30pm. Don’t go inside the White Castle, instead meet us right in front of it. Don’t be late! Arrive early if you are unsure of your timing.**

**Dinner:** There are many Indian restaurants up and down Newark Avenue, serving veg*n options. We will be grabbing food as a group prior to the Garba/Raas event, and feel free to grab something to eat at anytime, just for yourself. There are many, many vegetarian and vegan options in the many restaurants, and numerous restaurants are all-vegetarian (though not all-vegan, so check your specific item before ordering).

Karthik and David

**Why is Navratri celebrated ?**
Navratri, rooted in ancient Hindu mythology and history, holds a significant place in India’s cultural and religious heritage. The history of Navratri dates back thousands of years and is steeped in legend and tradition.

One of the most famous stories associated with Navratri is the battle between the goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura, a shape-shifting demon, terrorized the heavens and the earth. Unable to bear his tyranny, the gods created the goddess Durga, an embodiment of their collective divine power, to defeat Mahishasura. This epic battle lasted for nine days and nights, symbolizing the nine nights of Navratri. On the tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, Durga emerged victorious, marking the triumph of good over evil.

Navratri also celebrates the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, during this period. Each of the nine nights is dedicated to one of these goddesses, with special prayers and rituals performed to invoke their blessings.

Over the centuries, Navratri has evolved from a primarily religious observance into a grand cultural festival. It is a time when people come together to dance the energetic Garba and Dandiya Raas, wearing traditional attire and forming intricate dance circles. These dances symbolize the joyous celebration of life, as well as the triumph of light over darkness.

Today, Navratri transcends religious boundaries and is celebrated by people of various backgrounds, not only in India but also in Indian communities worldwide. It’s a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the significance of preserving cultural heritage in a modern world. Navratri continues to be a time of unity, devotion, and festivity, honoring the ancient legends and history that make it a cherished part of Indian culture.