What Navratri Really Taught Me Over the Years

 

Hi friends,

Or should I say Jai Mata Di!

Yes, today we celebrate very auspicious festivals—Navratri Ashtami and Ram Navami. These are deeply spiritual occasions that bring us peace, serenity, and strength. In our busy lives, we achieve so much that we sometimes forget why we celebrate these festivals in the first place. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone or criticizing anyone—but over the years, I’ve learned to reflect on their true meaning.

Yes, these pujas bring happiness, and we feel satisfied thinking we’ve done something kind—but have we really?

For those who may not know, during Navratri we worship Goddess Durga. She has nine forms, so we celebrate for nine days, with each day representing a different virtue. We fast during these days and break the fast by preparing prasad, inviting nine young girls (Kanjaks), offering them food, and seeking their blessings. There is a beautiful purity in this tradition that I have always admired.

Now, I know some people might say, “What do you know about these rituals? You don’t fast or pray regularly.” But I want to share something important—when we invite these girls, let’s give them love and respect, not just prasad. I’ve seen many people perform these rituals as a formality, while others do it simply to continue the tradition. Yes, we should carry our culture forward—but in the right spirit.

When I used to go for Ashtami or Navami as a child, people would offer us a lot of food. But what really mattered was that we had to visit many homes. I would often say, “Please give a little prasad,” because I didn’t like wasting food.

So today, when I serve food to these girls, I keep that in mind. I first ask them how much they would like, because I know they will be visiting many houses. Secondly, I don’t just feed them—I thank them for coming and for blessing us. I also make sure to give them love, respect, and a warm smile so they feel comfortable.

These are the things I’ve learned over the years through my own experiences. And now, I just want to share this thought—festivals are not just formalities; they are opportunities to learn, grow, and spread kindness.

Do share your experiences with us—we can all learn from each other.