Navratri holds special significance for Maharashtrian people. Ghatasthapana is one of the most auspicious rituals in Marathi homes. Families set up a sacred pot and sow grains in an earthen vessel. A lamp is lit and prayers are offered every day for nine days. On Pratipada, homes are cleaned and purified. On a sacred altar of clean soil, the Ghat is established as the symbol of the Universe holding all deities. Under it, nine grains including wheat, jowar, bajra and moong are sown. In nine days they sprout into green seedlings. In Vidarbha, this is not decoration, it is our link to farming and prosperity. At the centre burns the Akhand Jyoti. Behind the flame sits Tulja Bhavani, the Kuldevi of many Marathi families, in red veil, silver crown and garlands of jasmine and marigold. In front, the Ghat sits in a bamboo basket, decorated daily with marigold and rose. On it, a ghee lamp with mango leaves burns continuously from Pratipada till Vijayadashami. Family members take turns to keep the flame alive. Its light is believed to dispel darkness and keep a constant link with the Goddess.

 

Then comes the discipline of fasting. It is purification, not dieting. Many observe one sattvik meal after sunset. Others live on fruits, milk, sabudana khichdi, varai with peanut curry and rajgira puri. Onion, garlic and non-veg are avoided. Evenings are for Devi Saptashati path and ‘Durge Durgat Bhari’. What makes Maharashtra distinct is the courtyard tradition. In colonies of Mahal, Dharampeth and Itwari, women gather around the image of an elephant symbol of happiness to sing Hadga, Bhondla and Bhulabai. While singing, they worship the Ghat as the Goddess. It is a tradition passed from grandmother to mother to daughter. Between these nine days, many households perform Mahalakshmi sthapana. Two idols of Mahalakshmi in rich sarees with nath and traditional jewellery are placed with child idols, Ghat and fruits. Puja is done with haldi-kumkum, oti and naivedya.

 

For many families in Nagpur, these rituals are deeply personal. It is believed she brings wealth and blessings for daughters and daughters-in-law. “For nine days, we keep the Ghat like our own mother in the house. We take turns for the Akhand Jyoti, we do fasting and read Saptashati. When we sing Bhondla together in the evening, it feels like our culture is still alive in our daughters,” said Nutan Mane and Mayuri Sirsat, housewives from Dharampeth. This faith finds its collective form at the city’s temples. Priest of Bhavani Mata Temple, Bajarang Nagar, Tukaram Naik said, “At our temple, hundreds of families register their Jyoti during Navratri. At Koradi, Agyaram Devi Temple at Ganeshpeth and Annapurna Temple, Bagadganj too, the Jyoti burns day and night. On Ashtami-Navami we perform Kanya Pujan girls aged 2 to 10 are worshipped as Navdurga with halwa-puri and oti. On Vijayadashami, when the Ghat is immersed with the chant of ‘Changabhal’, the flame may go out, but its blessings stay in the home for the whole year.”