Bringing The Goddess Home Again!

After two years of abstinence from all celebrations owing to the lockdowns and limitations to public gatherings, Mumbai is set to bring the Goddess home again, writes Gajanan Khergamker

Mulund’s Srishti Oasis Palms CHS’ (from left) Shrusti Doshi, Ketki Parab, Prerna Raut,
Nayan Sawant and Neha Pariyani after a performance

Navratri has finally arrived. This year, Mumbaikars had been awaiting the Navratri festive season with bated breaths. Besides the police and civic authorities working around the clock to provide essential services during the festive period to the people of India’s financial capital, Mumbai’s tenants, flat owners and cooperative housing society members had been gearing up for the auspicious nine-day long festival too. 

This year the festival is marked with Sarvajanik Devi Pandals in public zones; Ghatasthapanas, Devi Pujas with accompanying rituals and strict fasts (upvas) at homes; traditional Garbas in older city pockets; and the popular Dandiya nights (Dandiya Raas programmes) with DJs even elaborate orchestras. It’s like the good ol’ times have returned.

Mumbai Central’s Navjivan CHS members performing Ashtami Havan during a past Navratri event

Like the 3,000-odd residents of Navjivan Cooperative Housing Society Ltd., simply couldn’t wait for Navratri to begin. The society, located at Mumbai Central, is known for its elaborate Navratri celebrations where its members come together for a whole host of activities and events.

Chairman Prashant Shah

Society Chairman Prashant Shah says, "After a two-year-long hiatus, during which when we performed just the essential puja and rituals for each of the nine days due to the COVID restrictions and safety protocols in place, this year we'll be celebrating Navratri in full fervour.

"I am happy to say that we'll be organising all the events that have been integral to the society’s celebrations for more than five decades now. It's a good thing that, finally, the pandemic is behind us and we can celebrate Navratri like we always have.”

So, this year, Navjivan Society’s Navratri mandal has organised Ashtami and Kanya Pujan, devotional Bhajan singing at Mata Ki Chowkie, Musical Housie, Mela and several activities for children including Drawing Competition, Best From Waste, Fancy Dress Competition, Dance Competition, etc. 

Navjivan society members reveling at a Garba event during Navratri celebrations

Member Jayesh Doshi maintains, “The most popular event is the garba, of course, when residents come together to perform the traditional dance, to orchestra music, in huge numbers and for all the nine nights!”

For tenants of Parekh Mahal located at Mahim, Navratri is more than just an occasion to commemorate the Devi. The Parekh Mahal Navratrotsav Mandal organises a host of events that the tenants see as an opportunity to meet each other and mingle.

Mahim's Parekh Mahal tenant Anant Patil with wife Archana (centre) and co-tenant
Kavita Gupta (extreme left) performing the aarti in the building last year

Devout residents Anant Patil and wife Archana have been diligently observing Navratri rituals at their home and in the Parekh Mahal celebrations as well. “My wife keeps a fast now after my mother stopped owing to health concerns. 

“We follow the rituals closely starting from Naivedya offerings to daily Devi Puja and my entire family performs rituals throughout the nine days. We perform the ceremonial aarti in the building’s Devi pandal as well,” says Anant.

It was owing to the initiation of resident Kavita Gupta, who has been observing Navratri at home since childhood, that a few years ago, the tenants decided to bring Devi into their building complex. 

Parekh Mahal's Devi murti for this year's Navratri celebrations

“Coincidentally, this is the ninth year since we started the Navratri celebrations in our building and I’m very happy that we decided to do so. After the sthapana on the first day, we perform the Puja, Aarti, Ashtami Havan and Kanya Pujan and all other rituals,” maintains Kavita.

The celebrations also include interesting activities for children, garba on the building terrace, etc.  “Our nine-day Navratrotsav welcomes one and all and not just the 225-odd residents of the building,” she adds.

Secretary Rao

Members of the newly-formed Srishti Oasis Palms CHS Ltd., in Mulund, especially the women, simply couldn’t wait for the Navratri celebrations to begin. Every year, society members come together to celebrate festivals such as Ganeshutsav, Navratri, etc. However, all that came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic and members restricted celebrations to their homes and with families only. 

Organising member Shrusti Doshi says, “We designate one day during the nine-day festival when the members and their friends and family come together to celebrate in the evening. There is a DJ playing music and we throw open the dance floor where members enjoy while munching on chaat and snacks. Dandiya enthusiasts perfect their moves during the run-up to Navratri and then perform on the day of the event, all dressed in traditional attire.”

As Secretary Rao puts it, “Navratri, this year, is symbolic of the end of a horrendous period of loss and disaster and not just for us, but the entire world.”

(Inputs From Manu Shrivastava)

Click here to download PDF of the Navratri 2022 Special 'Devi Dhamaka'

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