The Use of A Chandarvo Textile

I’ve collected Gujarat Textiles for decades.

And have come across many ‘canopy’ textiles for sale – that are used as a cover over the goddess deity during ceremonies.

Further my roots are IN Gujarat.

And I grew up in a neighbourhood that was 50% Gujarati.

AND YET I had not seen any in use in all the 57 years of life.

Sounds odd if you think about it.

So when I saw one 2 days ago I did not even recognise it for what it was initially.

This was put up over the staapna of the presiding goddess Amba for the festival of Navratri or 9 nights. And one of the ways to celebrate that festival is to gather together in the village square (or your apartment complex) to dance in a circle.

This is a good example of how ignorant one can be, in spite of having deep access to a culture.

Here is the picture of the Gujarat canopy textile of which we see many many on Ebay.

[The red & green textile hanging overhead]

jm

wovensouls.com