Cherishing Traditions Amidst Navratri & Dassera
The festive spirit of Navratri and Dassera had lit up Mumbai with colour, music, and devotion. At Priya and Rohan’s parents’ home, the entire family gathered after months apart. Rohan had flown down especially for the celebrations, eager to meet his sisters Priya and cousins Ria and Aditya, and their spouses Sanjiv, Vignesh, and Rashmi. Sanjiv’s brother Sandip too had joined, along with Sanjiv’s parents, adding more joy to the occasion. The presence of Rohan and Priya’s grandmother made the reunion even more special - three generations under one roof, sharing festive cheer.
The home buzzed with warmth as everyone exchanged laughter and banter. Childhood memories came rushing back - garba nights, homemade sweets, and the anticipation of Dassera when elders would bless them with tokens of prosperity.
As conversations flowed, their grandmother reminded them of the customs she had lovingly upheld over the years. She spoke of the tilak, a mark of blessings and protection, and how it was once a daily ritual before children left for school or men left for work. “It may seem small,” she said with a smile, “but every stroke on the forehead was a prayer for strength and wisdom.”
Aditya nodded thoughtfully, adding, “During Navratri, bowing before the ghatasthapana - the kalash representing energy and prosperity - always felt like invoking divine strength. And lighting the evening diya was more than just tradition; it brought the family together.” Rashmi laughed, recalling how as children they would compete to keep the lamp glowing longest, only to end up dozing beside it.
Ria then mentioned Dassera, when they exchanged apta leaves as symbolic ‘gold’. “It felt playful then,” she said, “but looking back, it was such a creative way to teach us that true wealth lies in virtue and goodwill.” Malli mama added that even these simple rituals had deeper lessons: victory of good over evil, respect for elders, and gratitude for blessings received.
Meanwhile, Sanjiv’s parents reflected on how traditions had kept families bound despite the pressures of modern life. “Western influences are strong,” Sanjiv’s father observed, “but our culture gives us roots. Even if we adapt to changing times, these rituals remind us who we are.”
As night descended, everyone gathered for aarti. The fragrance of incense, the rhythmic clapping, and the glow of diyas filled the home with devotion and togetherness. In that moment, the cousins realised that while life might scatter them across cities and countries, these customs were the invisible threads tying them back to their heritage.
This Dassera, the family silently resolved to keep these traditions alive - not just for themselves, but for the next generation.
And perhaps that is the message for all of us: we don’t need to follow every ritual, but by holding on to even a few - lighting a diya, exchanging apta leaves, or gathering for aarti - we nurture our roots, strengthen family bonds, and keep the light of culture glowing for generations.
