Look your best on the 9 nights

In a few days, one will see people from all communities dressed up in colourful clothes and eclectic jewellery enough to make heads turn their  way.

Kharghar resident Debomita Dey specially went to Kolkata to shop for the festive season. Dey said, “It is compulsory for us Bengalis to wear new clothes on the first day of Navratri. And, women usually prefer saree for all the days.

This year, I bought traditional Bengali sarees like tat saree that is made of pure cotton and is fully embroidered; tangail silk saree; and dhakaai cotton saree. I bought them in purple, yellow, pink, orange and blue colours. I also visited Boriya Haat in Kolkata and bought imitation jewellery at decent prices.”

For South Indians, who follow the custom of having Golu, dressing variedly on all the nine days is an indulgence.

Bhooma SundaraRajan changes over 20 sarees during the nine days. “This is the one festival that is celebrated elaborately. I usually visit many houses so I like to be dressed in my best. I have a huge collection of kancheepuram sarees that I wear with a pair of gold earrings and necklace and colourful glass bangles.”

For Gujaratis, who celebrate Navratri with much pomp, it is all about ghagra-cholis that have intricate patterns and embroidery on them. These are worn by most women and girls during dandiya performances. Monal Agarwal, who always participates in the dandiya held in her society, had her friend buy a ghagra-choli from Ahmedabad for her.

“It is maroon in colour with a green dupatta and is embroidered in the traditional way with lot of mirror work. I will be wearing a different ghagra and bandhini saree on all the nine days. The look will be completed with matching bangles,” said Agarwal.

Non-Gujaratis, too, love to be a part of the dandiya dance.

Kharghar resident Sweety Gupta, who is from Delhi, said, “I purchase all my festive wear from the Bhuleshwar market.

This year, I will buy a violet dress, as it is my favourite colour, and pair it with oxidised necklace and earrings.”

Festivities in the air
Kharghar resident Debomita Dey went to Kolkata to shop for the festive season. Dey shopped for traditional Bengali sarees like tat saree which is made of pure cotton and is fully embroidered; tangail silk saree; and dhakaai cotton saree.

She shopped for jewellery at Boriya Haat
For South Indians who follow the custom of having ‘golu’, dressing variedly on all the nine days is an indulgence.

Bhooma SundaraRajan changes over 20 sarees during the nine days. “This is the one festival that is celebrated elaborately. I visit many homes so I like to be dressed in my best,” she says.