As Navratri lights up homes and hearts across India, actor Poojaa Gor is eagerly looking forward to returning to her hometown of Ahmedabad, where the festival is celebrated in its most authentic form. Although Mumbai boasts a large Gujarati community, Poojaa insists that nothing compares to celebrating Navratri in Gujarat. “For anybody like me who has come from Gujarat, for us Navratri means going back home. Some of the best Navratri and garba nights happen in Gujarat. While the celebrations in Mumbai are no less, our sentiments are attached to Gujarat,” she says. For Poojaa, Navratri is more than just a festival—it’s a heartfelt homecoming.
The Cultural Essence of Navratri in Gujarat
For Gujaratis, Navratri holds a deep cultural and emotional connection. Poojaa explains how the festival represents a reunion of families and communities. “Navratri is the time of homecoming for Gujaratis as our families, community, and comfort is there,” she shares. This sense of togetherness, where everyone comes together to celebrate, dance, and honor the nine forms of Goddess Durga, makes Navratri a highly anticipated event each year.
Growing up in Gujarat, Poojaa’s understanding of Navratri evolved through two distinct phases of her life. As a child, she was immersed in the stories of different Goddesses celebrated on each day of the festival. “While we wouldn’t understand it all in depth, we would enjoy it by indulging ourselves creatively with the decorations, making prasad with our mothers, grandmothers, and aunts. It used to be a community event, and then garba used to be a highlight every night after aarti,” she recalls fondly. These childhood memories of family gatherings, festive rituals, and joyous garba nights have stayed with her, making Navratri an integral part of her life.
Garba: The Heart of Navratri
One of the most iconic aspects of Navratri is garba, the traditional Gujarati folk dance that brings communities together during the festival. For Poojaa, garba holds a special place in her heart, and she humorously refers to herself as her friends' "garba teacher" during the celebrations. “I take my garba very seriously,” she jokes. Teaching her friends the intricate dance moves has become an annual ritual, allowing her to share her passion for the dance and her culture with those around her.
Poojaa also admits that she has a bit of “Daya ben inside her soul,” referring to the popular garba-loving character from the TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. This playful side of her personality comes alive during Navratri, when she fully embraces the festive spirit of garba, dancing with joy and enthusiasm.
A Deeper Understanding of Navratri
As she grew older, Poojaa’s connection to Navratri deepened. She gained a greater understanding of the rituals and their significance, particularly the practice of fasting during the nine days of the festival. “After growing up, I understood the meaning and importance of rituals like fasting,” she explains. The fasting ritual, often observed as a way to purify the body and mind, is a key part of Navratri that brings devotees closer to their spiritual side. For Poojaa, this newfound appreciation of the rituals has enriched her experience of the festival.
Navratri, for Poojaa Gor, is not just about the celebrations; it’s about reconnecting with her roots, her culture, and her community. It’s a time of reflection, joy, and devotion, all wrapped in the vibrant colors of garba and the stories of the divine feminine. As she prepares to head back to Ahmedabad, her excitement is clear. “For me, Navratri will always mean home,” she says, her heart set on reliving the cherished traditions and memories that have made this festival an integral part of her life.
This Navratri, Poojaa Gor’s reflections remind us all of the importance of home, family, and cultural heritage in our lives, and how festivals like these offer us the perfect opportunity to celebrate them.