To usher in Navaratri the traditional way, the Bhayes, a Worli-based Koli family, started prepping a week in advance. Based in Koliwada, and just like most fishing community families, the family offers prayer to goddess Ekvira during the nine days celebration of the festival.
On the fifth day of Navaratri, a few of the attendees also participate i nthe much anticpated gondhal dance. Speaking on their love for the festival, 64-year-old Nilima Bhaye, said, "We worship goddess Ekvira. A mask of the goddess is kept with a ghat (a pot along with coconut and different leafs). Five different varieties of dry fruits and fruits are kept as an offering. A lamp is also lit for nine days, and we have to be extremely careful to ensure that it remains lit throughout and does not extinguish at all."
Another traditional ritual is the daily visit of a Kumarika, a girl below 12 years of age, invited as a guest. Daughter-in-law Dipti Bhaye said, "We invite one minor girl every day for the nine days. On the fifth day when we arrange Gondhal. We dress up the goddess in a new saree every year and nine variety of grains are also offered. Besides Gondhali, who perform the Gondal, women from our family also dance and celebrate the festival in the most joyful way." To make it memorable, the family even dresses in the traditional outfits — sarees and ornaments handed down — for the festivities, while they follow the rituals and customs that have been done the same way for the last 32 years.
"Different sweets made of jaggery are offered to the goddess Ekvira every day. We don't repeat a single sweet dish. Guests come home to see the Gondhal being performed. In fact, we started shopping and decorating the house a week before the festival began," added Dipti.
For the fishing community, this festival is as important as Narali Purnima.
RITUALS AND CUSTOMS
- On the 5th day, the Gondhal dance is performed with friends and family.
- Every day, a minor girl, Kumarika, is invited as honoured guest
- A mask of goddess Ekvira is kept with a pot, coconut and different leaves
- A lamp is lit for nine days continuously and it is ensured that it does not extinguish at all
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