by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
The gymnasium at South Brunswick High School was transformed into another country Friday and Saturday nights behind the steady beat and the rhythmic moves of colorfully dressed dancers.
It was Garba, an event celebrating the Hindu holiday of Navratri, presented by the Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central New Jersey. The room pulsated with traditional Hindu folk music from Mahesh Mehta & Famous Singers from India as the crowd danced for hours.
”It’s really a huge event, my favorite of the year,” Tarak Patel, secretary of the foundation, said. “It attracts people from all over Central Jersey, of all ages. It’s a great event and in a family atmosphere.”
Navratri is both a religious and a cultural event, in which Hindus worship the mother goddess Shakti, who takes on several roles. The goddess is known as Durga in her destructive role, Lakshmi in her protective role and Saraswati in her knowledge-giving role.
In India, the holiday is celebrated over nine continuous nights. The first three nights are dedicated to Durga, the next three to Lakshmi and the final three nights are dedicated to Saraswati. Indo-American foundation President Mac Shah said Hindus in American typically celebrate the holiday over the course of several weekends because the events go into the morning hours.
”We had a wonderful crowd,” Mr. Shah said. “People really enjoyed the dances, and the music was outstanding.”
Mr. Shah said that about 1,500 people were at the event.
Many dressed in traditional outfits, with women donning chaniyacholis, which are brightly colored dresses.
”I like that people from all age groups come together,” Shefali Patel said. “The kids that were born here can still see the traditions and values from India.”
In the center of the dance floor on a large stand sat a statue of the goddess, surrounded by small tea candles. At the end of the dance the crowd surrounds the statue and lights the candles, holding them in their hands in a ritual known as Aarti. The crowd then shares sweets known as prasad, eating them to gain the goddess’ strength and blessing.
The group also sold traditional foods, including samosa, a stuffed pastry, and pav-bhaji, a common food made of bread and vegetables.
Tushar Patel, the treasurer of the foundation, said the main focus of the festival is to educate Indian children born in America about their culture.
”It’s about bringing the Indian culture here so they can see it,” Mr. Patel said. “Otherwise they are not aware of it. This is one of our biggest festivals, and the kids respond very well.”
The festival will continue at the South Brunswick High School with two more Garba events on Oct. 10 and 11, beginning at 8 p.m. on both nights.

