Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine avatars for a period of nine days. There are five Navratris in a year, out of which two are celebrated widely. One is Sharad Navratri, or Maha Navratri, which coincides with the popular Durga Puja and concludes with Dussehra and is celebrated around September - October. The other is Chaitra Navratri, which is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls around March - April.
The three other less celebrated Navratris are Gupt (Ashadha) Navratri (June – July), Paush Navaratri (December – January) and Magh (Gupt) Navratri (January – February). Garba and Dandiya are an integral part of the Maha Navratri celebrations. The fact is that Garba is performed before Aarti, a ritual in honour of the goddess, while Dandiya is performed after completion of Aarti, as a part of merriment. While Garba is performed to invoke the goddess, Dandiya symbolizes a mock fight between the goddess and the demon king Mahishasura.
Right from its inception, Smt Jamuna Mishra Academy - JMA Pilani has embarked on a rich tradition of celebrating various days of national and international significance and festivals which makes it a cut above the rest schools in Pilani. Alumni of JMA Pilani are pursuing higher education in various institutions which include Birla Institute of Technology and Science BITS Pilani which is one of the Institutions of Eminence and Banasthali Vidyapith which is not only in various QS Rankings but also in Times Higher Education THE World Rankings as one among the best 3 - 4% global universities and Second Best Women’s University in the world.
On 07 Oct 2019, which is the Maha Navami day evening, the school ground was all set for the celebrations. Principal Mrs Booma Natarajan triggered the celebrations after the customary puja and arti was performed. Peaking with passion, JMA students and teachers dressed in colourful embroidered ghagra-cholis energetically whirled and moved their feet and arms in a choreographed manner to the rhythm of the music and drumbeats. The teachers matching step to step and beat to beat with the students was indeed a treat to watch.
During the Navratri celebrations, the students and teachers of JMA Pilani indeed add a spectrum of colours and gaiety as well as rise above caste and creed and develop mutual respect for all religions. The students and teachers who had a Razzle Dazzle at the Dandiya Garba for JMA Navratri celebrations left with beaming faces and pride that they were indeed part of a top ranking institution which is a shining jewel in the crown among the schools at Pilani.
For more details about JMA Pilani see http://www.jmapilani.org/Default.aspx
Mrs Booma Natarajan, M.Sc., M.A., B.Ed.
Principal, Jamuna Mishra Academy – JMA
Near Old Pilani Post Office
Pilani Rajasthan 333031 India
Phone 91-1596-242314
Email booma_pilani at yahoo.co.in
Website: http://www.jmapilani.org/Default.aspx
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/JMAPilaniRajasthanRank1/
About JMA Pilani: Jamuna Mishra Academy - JMA Pilani is a Co-educational English Medium School with Experienced Teachers, Spacious Classrooms and Modern Amenities designed to impart Quality Education combined with All Round Personality Development and lay the Best Foundation for the Child’s Future. While the school admits both boys and girls, the girl student enrollment has been steadily rising every year and is presently nearly 50% of the total strength. Right from its inception, JMA Pilani has embarked on a rich tradition of celebrating various days of national and international significance and festivals which makes it a cut above the rest schools in Pilani. The school has for boys and girls Scout and NCC, girls’ band which has been winning laurels every year. NCC cadets of JMA Pilani have also been selected for participation in Republic Day Camp RDC and Shivaji Trail Trek. Yoga, Karate, Painting and Music are not just part of school routine but a way of life for the students.
