The Garba spirit

As the vibrant beats of drums and dhols fill the air, thousands gather in a sacred circle, moving in unison to the rhythm of Garba. This dance, performed during the Navaratri, is a profound spiritual practice. Garba, derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Garbha’, meaning ‘womb’, is a symbolic celebration of life’s eternal cycle, birth and rebirth. The circular formation of the dance itself holds deep spiritual meaning. Dancers move around the image of Goddess Durga, representing the Divine Feminine energy, the Shakti. This circle signifies the cyclical nature of existence: creation, destruction and renewal.

The dance becomes a moving meditation, where the mind quiets, and the heart aligns with the divine rhythm. In every clap and every step, there is a surrender to the cosmic order, an acknowledgment of the Divine presence. The spinning motion within Garba represents the soul’s journey through the cycles of life, constantly seeking union with the Divine. This dance, then, becomes an offering, a prayer in motion, where the physical and spiritual merge in perfect harmony.

Garba reminds us that through devotion and rhythm, we can transcend worldly distractions and immerse ourselves in the ecstatic dance of life. An ancient Indian prayer beautifully expresses this thought: ‘Where the hand moves, there goes the eyes; where the eyes go, the heart follows. Where the heart is, there resides the divine.’