“Navratri has always been an important festival for us since childhood. For nine days, we fast, offer prayers, join Garba and Dandiya nights, and visit Durga Puja pandals. Every day has its own excitement—getting ready for Garba, preparing the evening aarti. I always look forward to dressing up in colourful dandiya outfits and dancing with friends and family.

As a kid, Navratri at home meant bright rangolis, fresh flowers, and the excitement of pooja preparations from the kitchen. I loved helping my family decorate the idol, light the diyas, and wait for the prasad. After the aarti, sharing the meal with my family was the part I loved most; it made everything feel joyful. My mother would make simple fasting meals that somehow tasted extra special after a day of pooja.

Now, as a businesswoman and a mother of two, it’s not easy to balance work, home, and the festival, but I try not to miss it. We do the pooja every evening, keep the fasts, and make the same meals I grew up with. Even with a busy schedule, we still go out for Garba, Dandiya nights, and pandal hopping. I love that Dandiya has a story—the sticks represent the swords of Goddess Durga and the dance celebrates her victory over Mahishasura. Dancing with them always feels joyful and powerful.

I want my children to grow up with the same memories—the lights, the music, the food, the feeling of togetherness, so they can carry these traditions forward. For me, Navratri isn’t just a festival. It’s a way of remembering where we come from and enjoying the little moments that make life special.”

• Suruchi Agrawal