- Title: Women balance brass pots on heads while dancing to please Goddess in India
- Date: 11th October 2021
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DEVOTEE, RASMIKA PATEL, SAYING: "For the past 25 years, we have been doing this en masse traditionally. All these sisters are balancing pots on their heads. Our Goddess Umiya blesses us always, so to thank her, all the women here are balancing pots and doing 'garba' (Gujarati folk dance) in its traditional form."
- Embargoed: 25th October 2021 07:41
- Keywords: India Umiya Goddess balance dance folk garba religion tradition
- Location: SURAT, GUJARAT, INDIA
- City: SURAT, GUJARAT, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA002EYPRXOV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Women in India's western Gujarat state balanced brass pots on their heads as they danced in coordinated movements in circles to thank and please Hindu Goddess Umiya on Sunday (October 10).
Devotees believe that whatever they ask for with a pure heart, the Goddess fulfills their wish and in turn to please her, they dance with this ritual near her temple.
Goddess Umiya is the clan deity of a regional agrarian and landlord caste in Gujarat.
Hindus in India are celebrating the nine-day 'Navratri' festival dedicated to the worshipping of warrior Goddess Durga and her various forms and incarnation.
During the festival, Hindus observe fast, refrain from taking alcohol, meat, onion, and garlic in food.
They dress up in colourful dresses and dance in groups after sunset. The festivities culminate on the tenth day with the killing of buffalo demon, Mahishasur. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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