On the third day of the Navratri festival in Gujarat’s Rajkot on Tuesday, women displayed remarkable enthusiasm as they performed ‘Garba’ while wielding swords on two-wheelers at Rajvi palace. The ‘Talwar Ras’ or ‘Sword-wielding’ is a traditional culture in Gujarat where women in traditional ‘Rajputana’ attires perform the unique Garba to honour Goddess Durga.
On the third day of Navratri, devotees worship Goddess Chandraghanta, who is the married form of Goddess Mahagauri. Known as ‘Chandra-Ghanta’, her name signifies a half-moon shaped like a bell.
As per scholars of folk traditions of Gujarat, Talwar Ras was created to commemorate Rajput war heroes who died in the historic war of Bhuchar Mori (July 18, 1591). This is not the only Ras performed in Gujarat. Around six types of Ras are performed by various communities including the agrarian community, warrior community, seafaring community and even Muslim Maldhari community.
The description of Raas can also be found in various Puranas like Harivamsa Purana, Vishnu Purana and Bhagavad Purana. It typically involves 16-20 musicians and dancers with a set structure.