Our Celebrations After last years very successful event, this years celebrations will be held jointly with UK Valam Brahmin Association and BSNL under the banner of "Brahm Samaj". When & Where
Dates:
Navratri: 28th September - 6th October
Sharad Poonam: 11th October.
Venue:
*Important Note : There are two venues depending on the date :
Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th September at:
Copland Community School, Cecil Avenue, Wembley, Middx HA9 7DU
Friday 30th September to 6th October & Sharad Poonam on 11th October at:
JFS School, The Mall, Kenton, Harrow HA3 9TE
Start Time: 8.00pm every day except Friday 30th Septemberis at 8.30pm
End Time : 11.00pm Monday to Thursday
11.30pm Friday to Sunday
Ticket Prices
Members : £3.00
Non-members : £5.00
Under 12’ s: Free
Members over 60 and disabled: Free
Season Tickets (10 nights): £25 for members only.
Navratri Tickets in Advance
If you wish to purchase Navratri tickets in advance then please complete the attached application form and send it to the address on the form together with the appropriate payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Cheques should be made payable to “Brahm Samaj”. Tickets can be purchased only by application and only by current members of the respective Samaj. The form must reach the organisers by no later than
21st Sept 2011. Advance tickets will not be sold after this date. The organisers will not be held responsible for non-receipt of applications or applications lost in the post.
(Management reserves the right of entry. To comply with Health and Safety Law, entry will be on a first come first served basis except for season ticket pass holders and members with tickets purchased in advance).
History & Meaning
As the name implies, Navratri relates to the festival of “9 nights”. It begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight (September / October). Historically it a triumph of good over evil and a time when the Supreme Lord is worshipped in the mother form of Maa Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati (female forms).
The day after Navratri i.e. the 10th day after Ashwina, is Dussera which celebrates the victory of Lord Shri Rama over Ravana. Ravana is burnt in effigy, often giant dummies of Ravana stuffed with fireworks are shot with arrows until they blow up before a large, applauding audience.
The most characteristic dances of Gujarat during Navratri are the Rasa and Garba dances which are performed at all levels of society by men and women.
The origin of the Raas is traced back to the legends connected with the life of Lord Krishna. It is essentially associated with the agricultural rites. The Raas Garba are performed in Gujarat India on Navaratra; and other important festivals associated with harvest and crops.
Garba are also performed and are often complex circular formations to represent designs of lotus and other shapes considered magical religious and auspicious.
