For North Indian families who have settled in Nagpur, Navratri is a nine-day homecoming to their cultural roots. Twice a year, household shrines get a facelift, red sarees come out of the closet and family traditions take centre stage. Away from their ancestral homes, families are pulling out all stops to keep traditional customs alive and pass the cultural baton to the next generation. The run-up to the festival sees households rolling up their sleeves for a thorough spring-cleaning, with prayer rooms spruced up to welcome Mata Rani. An idol or kalash is decked out in traditional attire, an ornamental mukhota and jewellery, including a nath, teeka and kundal. “The elaborate arrangement is meant to make the Goddess feel at home,” said Dr Premlata Tiwari, President of Nari Shakti Foundation. For families observing the ritual, an Akhand Jyoti burns round the clock through all nine days. Early morning baths and aarti give way to evening prayers, bhajans and kirtans, bringing the household together. Women also join community singing and dancing, ensuring the festivities are not confined to four walls. For Tiwari, these rituals are about more than ticking religious boxes.

 

With children juggling a dozen distractions, she sees Navratri as an opportunity to bring them up to speed on the stories and values that have shaped generations. Without such efforts, she believes, cultural traditions risk falling by the wayside. Kiran Mundra, founder of Tejasvini Manch, points to another thread running through Devi worship: its deep-rooted connection with nature. The tradition of sowing wheat or barley, known as joware or khetari, during Navratri is observed across states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Mundra highlights how the practice reflects a cultural philosophy that places nature and cycle of creation at the heart of worship. As the grains sprout, they serve as a reminder of the earth’s ability to sustain life. Regional customs may differ, but this reverence for nature cuts across geographical boundaries. Women bring out red sarees and traditional North Indian nose rings, while a pachhora, a shawl or dupatta-like covering, completes the ensemble during prayers and offerings. For Dr Rakesh Shrivastava, a Nagpur-based doctor, Navratri is a trip down the memory lane. He recalls his mother’s devotion, from dancing during the festival to visiting temples. Today, he and his family are keeping the tradition going, observing fasts during both annual Navratri celebrations. His fasting routine leaves little room for indulgence. He sticks to fruits or has a single meal comprising Navratri khichdi, poori, aloo sabzi or paneer. Regular grains and non-vegetarian food are off the menu throughout the fasting period. As families settle into new cities, these rituals help them hold the fort on the cultural front. For young generation growing up far from their ancestral homes, they offer a way to stay plugged into their heritage rather than let old customs bite the dust. The backdrop may change, but the devotion endures.