Things to do this Navaratri & Dasara Festival

Mahalaya Amavasya just passed. And the festive season has already begun.

The happy mood and spirits and soaring high.

With the arrival of every Indian festival, the celebration seems like never ever before.

Here we round up a few things that you can do differently this dasara season to make the festival more memorable.

Recipes

Festivals bring along a marathon of recipes. Plan your special desserts and other recipes accordingly. It is that time of the year where friends and relatives visit to greet each other.

Dazzle in your best dress and jewelries

Beauty essentials, jewelries, ethnic clothes and saris are all perfect for the occasion. This is an opportunity to bring out and flaunt the best of your collections. Who does not want to wear the trendiest and look the most fashion forward in the gathering! 

It is also an opportunity to buy new ones.

Arrange a Dasara Golu (doll) set

Doll exhibition by arranging them in customary traditional manner is observed in many parts of South India. Clay dolls and figurines are arranged in step fashion with a theme idea.

City lightings and decorations

In almost every nuke and corner of the country, the festive feel is in the air. To show the high spirit and festive sense, sparkling lights and street decorations are done on a great note.

Roam around all the streets and get a glimpse of the decorations.

Visit Devi Temples and Hop Pandals

Devi temples where Dusshera festival is celebrated with great pomp through all the 10 days are all must visit during the season. 

If your city is filled with pandals for worshipping Devi Ma, then pandal hopping is one great agenda you should carry out this season.

Cultural programs and events

Programs and events are largely organised at many centres. Most of them are free for public with no tickets.

Dance programs with goddess and demons in the story line, acts from Ramayana and other mythological stories are a must enjoy during these 9 days.

Ladies gathering for a Potluck Party

It is an occasion for gathering, celebrating and enjoying all together. Deck yourself up and enjoy the moment with homemade savories.

Go on a Dasara Holiday and Soak in the Festive Spirit at a new place

Dasara/Navaratri is celebrated in different styles at different places. The big names during this festival that crops up are Kolkatta in West Bengal, Mysore in Karnataka, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, or may be Vadodara in Gujarat. 

Celebrating Dasara in Mysore, Karnataka

Though the styles vary, the spirit is equally high everywhere.

Practise the traditional Hindu ritual of Akshara Abhyasa on Vijaya Dashami

Vijaya Dashami is the day when many fix the auspicious Muhurat (time) for practising writing for the first time in a baby’s life. Toddlers who are of the age 2 to 3 years who are about to begin school undergo this traditional ritual of Akshara Abhyasa on this day. The ritual is performed under the guidance of a temple priest.

The first time writing happens on a platter of rice using a turmeric root.

Go on a shopping spree

This is an excuse to go shopping. Sale! Offers! Discounts! Buy 1 Get 2 Free! The advertising panels are everywhere. Silk and gold make Indian women go very weak. There can never be enough collection.

Buy Dasara doll sets, decorative rangoli crafts, handmade torans, colorful garba dance outfits, dandiya sticks, designer diyas - anything that shows the festive mood.

Do share with us everything that is keeping your spirits high this Navratri.