Pols hold on to Navratri traditions in Ahmedabad

Garbas, ghagra cholis and glitter dominate the minds of women in western Ahmedabad during the nine days of Navratri. However, women in the old city have an age-old belief that they will be blessed with a child if they have darshan of the Goddess on ashtami.

Ashtami, which is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of Navratri, has a significance of its own in the pols. People gather at the chowks for traditional garba and maha aartis. The pols bring out the traditional touch of the festivities as a result of customs passed down the generations.

An ancestral home in Vaghal pol places the ‘garbi’ of the Goddess on the eighth day of Navratri. The garbi is worshipped by all; especially women who want a child. They communicate their desire to have a child to the Goddess. A wooden, silver, or plastic toy known as ‘ghughro’ is offered to the devotee and she is asked to return when her wish is fulfilled. Women from across the country stand in long queues outside this place.

One of the women in the queue, who is an advocate said, “This is my second year as a devotee. I have full faith in Goddess Oshia. Class or education do not matter when it comes to faith in the Goddess.”

Although the garbi is placed by a particular community, it is open to all for darshan. Sheetal Adhya, a young married woman waiting for her chance said, “I have heard from my friends that it is an effective practice and so I have come here with full faith.”

At a 350-year-old Mata ni Varai temple situated at Bhanderi pol besides Kalupur tower, unique baby dolls are offered to the women by the priest after they spell out their wishes to have a child. “The women need to come back after the wish is fulfilled and keep the same doll at the feet of the goddess. These traditions start on ashtami and go on till the 14th day,” said Rajubhai Rawal, the manager of the temple. The temple also offers toys of ‘married couples’ to women who want to get married.