Navratri

Day 281 / 366

Jabalpur, my hometown, has a crazy Navratri scene. More than just religion, it is a cultural festival as well. I remember as kids we used to stay out all night looking at all the different Durga pandals and jhakis. Back when there was no internet, we used to look at newspapers and mark where the most innovative Durga pandals were.

We didn’t have a car, but we used to rent a van and 7–8 of us friends and family used to roam the city. I have a vague memory of a light/laser show that used to happen on a hill, that depicted a story about Ma Durga. There used to even be small rides, haunted houses, and whatnot.

This all stopped for me when I grew up. And now I am in Mumbai, where Navratri is not celebrated as much as it is in Jabalpur. Out here it’s more about dandiya nights and garba.

But today a friend insisted I go to see a Durga Pandal. It was tough to find one in the area where I live, but we roamed around until we did. And it gave me a brief sense of Nostalgia. There weren’t a lot of people there, and I got to stay near the idol for as long as I wanted. Everyone I saw there was happy. It felt good.

I think that is the significance of festivals. They give us a chance to come together as family or friends and share this happiness. Doesn’t matter if you are religious or not.