Only Men Allowed

Vadodara is widely known for its rich culture and heritage. And the city marks extra niche when it comes to Navratri in the whole country. Thousands of people flock from nooks and corners of India to witness the vibrant jamboree of colours and devotion.
Every year, a large number of Barodians crave for this most awaited festival to grace their city. Bright lights and Maa Durga’s devotion play a key role in attracting people to humongous garba pandaals. There are around 500 garba celebrations that happen in the city and in its periphery. All the grounds are filled with men and women rejoicing on the tunes of holy garba. The whole city is filled with the hustle bustle of vehicles travelling to their desired locales of garba.
There’s one such unique garba that happens at Mandvi’s Gadiyapol. It’s a historic place that boasts of a 2000-year-old temple of Amba Mata Mandir and its tradition of all-men’s garba. The deity is fondly known as Harsiddi Maa. Hundreds of men from the neighboring village grace the garba pandaals to pay homage to the holy goddess.
As per the legend, it is believed that Prince of Ujjain and his beloved daughter were Harsiddi Mata’s ardent devotees. On Mata’s blessing, his daughter soon got married. The prince regarded the goddess with great respect and invited her to Ujjain from Rajpipla. She agreed to him only on one condition, that while he’s progressing further he cannot look back for even once. While the prince was on his way, he heard the sonorous sounds of ‘payal’. He couldn’t resist but look back and that’s when committed the mistake. The moment he looked back, Mata stopped at that place very moment to settle permanently. Therefore, now Mandvi is graced with the beautiful temple of Harsiddi Mata.
Every year to honour the temple on Navratri, only men do garba. It’s believed that men had been circling garba since 2000 years. Since only men are allowed to perform the garba, they do it gracefully. The festivity is celebrated in pure rawness as one man sings and the other one thumps dhol. As per the myth, it says if anyone circles one round of garba, he’d be blessed with all his wishes.
This unique temple celebrates Navratri in a unique way.