Navratri 2024: How celebrations have evolved over the years in Mumbai

Navratri the ninenight festival celebrating the divine feminine holds immense cultural and religious significance in India especially in Mumbai Over the decades the way Mumbai has celebrated Navratri has transformed blending tradition with contemporary trends while remaining a vibrant expression of devotion From small community gatherings to largescale extravaganzas letrsquos take a journey through how Navratri 2024 celebrations in Mumbai have evolved over the yearsThe early days Intimate and traditionalNavratri celebrations in Mumbai were originally simple traditional and rooted deeply in religious customs In earlier decades the focus was primarily on prayers fasting and intimate gatherings at home or in local temples Women would gather to recite bhajans devotional songs and perform Garba or Dandiya Raas both folk dances from GujaratIn those years the festivities primarily revolved around devotion and individual worship of the goddess Durga in her various manifestations Nandita Desai a senior citizen who has witnessed the evolution of Navratri in Mumbai recalls ldquoBack in the 60s and 70s the festival was less commercial We would visit each otherrsquos homes for Garba and Aarti and it felt more like a community coming togetherrdquo1980s and 1990s Rise of public celebrationsIn the 1980s and 1990s Mumbai saw a rise in public Navratri celebrations with largescale events taking place in various localities The introduction of professional orchestras and live singers transformed Navratri into a grand social event People of all ages would gather to dance to devotional songs played by live bands Garba nights began to be organised on larger scales with famous singers like Falguni Pathak becoming synonymous with the festivalThis era also marked the rise of the Dandiya Raas culture where peoplemdashdressed in colourful traditional attiremdashwould swirl to the rhythmic beats of the dhol The festival was no longer restricted to homes or temples public grounds across the city became venues for mass celebrations Asmita Joshi a Mumbaibased event organiser mentions ldquoBy the 90s Navratri had taken on a new avatar It was no longer just about devotionmdashit was about celebration glamour and music There was a palpable excitement as more people started getting involvedrdquo2000s The age of commercialisationAs Mumbai entered the 2000s Navratri underwent a major transformation with increasing commercialisation Bollywood music began to dominate Navratri events pushing traditional devotional songs to the background Many organisers saw the profit potential leading to ticketed events featuring DJs and celebrity performances Highprofile sponsors from the corporate world also started investing in these celebrations further fueling the grandeurGarba and Dandiya Raas became not just a religious expression but also a fashion statement Designer chaniya cholis and kediyas were the talk of the town Events were held at large grounds with elaborate decorations light shows and modern sound systems adding a new layer of extravagance A Mumbaibased fashion designer shares Navratri has transformed into a celebration of glamour People wanted to look their best with outfits that would grab attention on social media Itrsquos where tradition met trendrdquoRecent years Balancing tradition with modernityIn recent years Mumbairsquos Navratri 2024 celebrations have strived to maintain a balance between tradition and modernity While glitzy highenergy Garba nights remain popular there has been a conscious effort to return to the festivals devotional roots Many local community groups now organise ldquoEcoFriendly Navratrirdquo to minimise the environmental impact of large events The use of biodegradable decorations ecofriendly idols and less noisy instruments is gaining tractionThe expansion of digital platforms has further introduced a modern element to Navratri celebrations Virtual Garba nights livestreamed prayers and online workshops teaching the art of Dandiya have emerged making the festival more accessible especially during the COVID19 pandemic Sneha Karnik a young Mumbaikar shares ldquoWhile we miss the energy of big gatherings online celebrations have allowed us to participate in the festival even when we couldnrsquot physically attend Itrsquos different but itrsquos still specialrdquoCultural significanceThe spirit of Navratri 2024 in Mumbai remains as powerful as ever despite the changes in how it is celebrated The city known for its cosmopolitan culture brings people from different communities together during the festival The celebration goes beyond religious and cultural differences bringing together people from all faiths in a shared expression of dance and devotionOver the years Navratri has also evolved into a platform for promoting social causes Numerous events now highlight womens empowerment resonating with the festivals tribute to the goddess Durga In addition some organisers have used Navratri as an opportunity to promote campaigns around education health and environmental conservationEvolving with time holding onto traditionNavratri celebrations in Mumbai have come a long waymdashfrom small community gatherings to largescale glamorous public events Over the decades the festival has evolved to reflect the cityrsquos dynamic nature blending devotion music dance and even social awareness Yet despite the changes Navratri continues to be a joyous celebration of culture faith and togethernessAs Rita Todankar a Gurgaon resident says Regardless of how the celebrations evolve the essence of Navratri stays unchangedmdashits about uniting in devotion and joy honouring the divine feminine and the spirit of communityMumbais Navratri has certainly evolved with the times yet the core of the festivalmdashdevotion to the goddess and the joy of dancemdashremains constant