Grown-ups and creators Hirva Mehta, Aanchal Verma, Riya Agrawal, and Nina Jain get candid as they talk about the preserved memories of celebrating Navratri and Dussehra as kids.
It’s funny to think about how, as kids, we used to eagerly look forward to the excitement of celebrating Navratri and Dussehra. The exhaustion that came from spending long hours at the garba ground, wearing our new festive clothes, and spending time with friends and family only added to the anticipation and joy of the festival. I can still remember how our entire neighborhood would come together for the aarti, and as soon as it ended, we’d all rush to play dandiya. Back then, we didn’t care much about anything else because having fun was all that really mattered.
Dussehra was different but just as thrilling, Personally for me, it was all about visiting the mela, watching the Ravan Dahan with our families, and cheering as loud as we could when the effigy went up in flames. But as we’ve grown older, it feels like that sense of excitement has slowly faded. Even though we still take part in these festivals, for many of us, they no longer hold the same charm and magic they once did. It’s sad and ironic how so many people today associate festivals with feelings of loneliness. That’s why it’s so important for us to look back and talk about the joy we experienced during these festivals in our childhood. By doing so, we can keep those wonderful memories alive in our conversations. To understand how these celebrations have changed over the years, we asked content creators to share their favorite memories of Navratri and Dussehra, and to reflect on the things they miss the most about celebrating these festivals today.
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For Riya Agrawal, it was all about the excitement of holidays. It was a time when she got a break from school, and the preparations usually began right away. "What I loved most was spending time with family and cousins, playing Dandiya all night and getting dressed up for Dussehra celebrations. I still remember how my family and I would go to the railway colony in my hometown of Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to watch the Ravan Dahan." But now that she has grown up, the traditions have shifted. Today, festivals are more about meeting up with friends and catching up with everyone. While new rituals have taken over the old traditions, she thinks that there’s something about the festival season, especially Navratri, that still brings her joy. "While I miss the nostalgia of childhood celebrations, the new rituals and experiences I explore now leave me with memories to cherish for a lifetime."
Nina Jain shares, "My entire family would come together to clean the house thoroughly and decorate it. The smell of gujiyas being made would fill the air, and we kids would eagerly wait for the night when fireworks lit up the sky." Nina fondly recalls how planning her festival outfits and jewelry was always part of the joy. "But it wasn't just the festivities themselves," she adds, "it was the warmth of family gatherings and the shared traditions that made it all so special."
Even though festivals still take place, she feels there is something important is missing. "In the digital age, we often celebrate through screens rather than in person. I miss those simple pleasures like playing traditional games with friends, hearing stories from the elders, sharing homemade sweets with loved ones, and the laughter that filled our homes." For Nina, bringing back these personal connections could breathe new life into modern celebrations. "If we could focus on the heart and soul of what these festivals once meant, we'd find that they become much more meaningful."
For Hirva Mehta, Navaratri was the festival that her childhood revolved around. "Back when we were kids, Navaratri was the one festival we always used to look forward to," she recalls. "We’d eagerly wait for the days our school would organize garba nights on campus. We had to be at the school before the Aarti began, and everyone was expected to participate to understand more about Ambe Maa and why we celebrate Navaratri." Going to garba venues, like party plots, was an absolute delight for Hirva back then. "I used to spend most nights in my society where there were arrangements for sound, food, aarti, and dandiya. The passes used to cost around ₹1500, which felt expensive for most people." Today, however, Hirva feels the essence of the festival has been lost. "The values and culture have vanished," she says. "All the events are so commercialized now. It’s all about money. No one wants to be part of the Aarti or learn more about the festival. It’s just about the garba, and that too in overcrowded places."
Hirva points out how much the cost of participation has soared. "These days, a single pass starts at ₹1000 and goes up to ₹13,000. They claim it's to make it 'premium,' but are you sure it’s premium and not just a status you're selling?" she asks. "Back then, even if party plots were expensive, the service justified the cost. Now, we’re stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours just to reach a venue that used to take 20-25 minutes."
What saddens her most is how the culture and values have been discarded from the experience. "Doing garba was something we did with our families and grandparents. Our grandparents would sit on the ground, watching us. These days, there’s an age limit, and people above a certain age aren't even allowed at the venue." Hirva believes that if this trend continues, the festival will lose its true meaning. "If this keeps on going, sooner or later, Navaratri will no longer be a festival—it’ll just be a way to show off."
For Aanchal Verma, this festival was nothing short of magical. "I remember the excitement of Kanjak celebrations, where Halwa Puri and small monetary gifts felt like treasures," she recalls with a smile. "Waking up at 6 am, I'd eagerly dress in a new outfit—usually a flowy skirt or a cute dress and head to my nani's place. With my cousins, we'd wait eagerly for the first Kanjak invite of the day. The day used to be full of visits for us, collecting small amounts of money, and the thrill of comparing who had the most by afternoon. Even a few rupees made us feel rich beyond measure, and we'd take days to decide how to spend it."
But as Aanchal reflects on how things have changed, she notes a shift in the spirit of celebration. "Today, though the traditions remain, something is different. Festivals have become more about appearances than joy—'darshan nahi, pradarshan ka zamana hai,'" she says. "Responsibilities have taken over the fun. Now, instead of just enjoying the festival, we fast, juggle work, and arrange for Kanjak at home." Yet, Aanchal still finds joy in the simple traditions that endure. "I still love going to the mela, dressing up, and holding on to the memories of those carefree days."
What do you miss the most about Navratri and Dussehra celebrations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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