“Navratri is a time of unusual happiness and excitement for me. Growing up in a home that celebrated all nine days of Navratri by arranging dolls and distributing gifts, I look forward to these days with much enthusiasm and eagerness. Moving to a different country owing to my marriage, I had to take a break for a few years. But in the spirit of celebration, I would still manage to keep a small Golu as and when I could find the time for it. Things changed for the best when I birthed my daughter. Encouraged to pass on this tradition on to her, I started to celebrate once again just like the old days. It’s been three years since marriage that we have been keeping a Golu and celebrating these days of Navratri by having people over to visit as well as going to receive thamboolams from other houses. It’s quite an encouraging sight to see that celebrations of these kind are not limited to just a particular sect or community. People are coming forward to learn and adapt and join in on the bandwagon of celebrations which is quite amazing to witness. Nava ratri to me is the time of celebrating the feminine energy in all her different manifestations. I’m glad to have started my ritual once again and I hope to continue for many more years to come!”