Navratri prep begins!

A festive air rents pockets of Chennai city where  'Gollu, Navratri, Garba and Durga Pujo' are beginning to show glimpses of their presence. Pandals are being erected, festive costume stalls outside busy street markets are mushrooming and jalebi wallahs have now expanded their menus to include Navratri specialties like Sabudanna Kheer and Coconut Ladoos.

People from all religious backgrounds and walks of life celebrate the victory of good over evil in these nine days. And for most folk this is a season to bring in family festivities with community events like Garba and Dandiya. Most youth associations in the city are busy with dance practices and meetings to discuss major events that are happening in malls and at venues across the city.

Durga's unparalleled win on the battlefield overpowering Mahishasura and restoring the peace is celebrated in many religions while the victory of lord Rama over the demonic and cruel Ravana is celebrated in some. A part of the country also celebrates the goddess leaving heaven and coming to earth, also these days are celebrated by worshipping different goddesses and their victories. Bengalis in the city are gearing up for a vegetarian fare at Pujo pandals and parallely planning family feasts. Most South Indian homes are decking up their homes with Golu dolls.

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Dr Kamala Selvaraj, who hosts one of the most prestigious Golu musical evenings each year, has the who’s who visiting her home filled with dolls of gods and goddesses. She also has a multi-faith set-up and a beautiful collection of over 2,000 dolls. She says, “This season is all about Sundal, Chakkarai Pongal and Badam Ladoos. My family enjoys hosting this festival at home. All our hospital staff too partake in the festivities.’’

KR Sadakshi, a student, explains the nine days of the festivity, “My friends and I love Golu hopping. We have our own healthy competition amongst ourselves, like most of our parents have theirs with the theme for the Golu display. We have to identify the new Golu doll at the friend’s house, and on winning we get to eat their share of the sundal as well. My family encourages the young kids by having fancy dress competitions and winners are decided on a daily basis and every kid and adult gets a reward.”

Dharmesh Bansal, 26-year-old businessman, says, "I feel very privileged living in Chennai because I get to celebrate the nine days with four states’ styles. My family and I fast during Navratri and have puja at home every morning, while I do Golu hopping with friends in the evening. I then go Durga Pujo Pandal with friends and head straight to play Garba and Dandiya in the night at one of the malls.”

Soumya Guha thakurta, Secretary at Bengal Association says “We get a footfall of about 5,000 people every year. This year we have the Pandal from October 3 to 8. The actual crowd starts pouring in from Saptami (this year Saptami is on 5th). The multicultural crowd enjoys an array of specially prepared snacks like Motichoor Ladoo, Phirni and Mashed Peas and Kishmish Samosas. We also serve some amazing chaat and simultaneously host dance and cultural events."

Chennai is truly a melting pot of cultures and every festival has many dimensions with different communities, religions and languages all seamlessly blending to celebrate the trimph of Good over Evil. Perhaps why Chennai is also known as one of India's most livable cities.