Navratri Season

Navratri is a huge festivity celebrated with tonnes of joy and zeal all over India. Since I reside in Gujarat currently, the Garba Fever is quite unmatched. The colours of 9 days, Chaniya choli, popular snacks and primarily, the worship of the 9 avatars of the goddess Durga are the different flavours of this season. Growing up here, Garba nights are unmissable and this year also we are enjoying it.

RATRI BEFORE NAVRATRI AT SCHOOL

We have 4-5 holidays for Navratri towards the end and not much load of studies and homework since people need to enjoy as well and annual day is arriving too. Navratri has started from 15th October (Sunday) and Saturday was a holiday. So we had the celebrations at school on 13th where parents and children had to be there. There was a pass procedure to get in and our school ground while entering through the crowds seemed unusually huge. We entered from second gate which directly headed to ground and shed area. Their, our teachers were collecting passes and money (if someone bought it there only). I went there at about 7.45 pm and seeing the gleaming eyes of students waiting for their friends was quite bemusing for me along with their flashy dresses. Some girls were truly unrecognisable with the heavy attire and make up put on. The ground was divided into an outer small circle for waiting and chairs were arranged as we went in. The inner circle was the pandal where a small statue of Devi Maa was placed and there was place for dancing. What to say about my friends- they are true idiots. But thankfully I found one of my classmate Jiya, waiting for Vay (yk right). We took few pictures and went inside as we were tired of waiting for her. She wasn't picking up her calls and earlier when she did, she told that she was on the way. Didn't her way finish? Our city isn't that big as the prime ones yet a cultural hotspot in this season!

We went in, I met Ras who took me somewhere else. There we met Dri and Riz. We clicked pictures but then eccentrically Adi came and dragged Riz somewhere else. There was probably some nuisance happening beyond my notice which I felt for a few days. I don't know why my friends aren't clear when they want to maintain a distance ('cause it's their fault, their insecurities; I've been clear so I better understand all this!) At least I've imparted from my mom to be straight-forward. 

Afterwards, we all clicked some other photos. Vay arrived after an eternity and Vedi and I escorted her from the gate LOL. We met her mother and took her to Vedi's mom so that both can sit and chat. My parents were not there so I just gave my purse to Ras's mom while dancing since she stood closest to the Pandal, near an iron table. We had tonnes of photos clicked with the zing of dance steps too. We danced do and teen tali (2 and 3 claps) first then gradually it got even more upbeat, and we did Dodhiyu! In dodhiyu, we have to go 3 steps forwards but also come back 2 small steps so I was about to trip a few times while dancing since the one standing ahead of me had a long chaniya and danced faster. After a lot of dancing, I went out with Ras to the washroom to fix my dupatta. We had to go to the Balwadi (preschool) as the doors to the main building was closed and guarded. We did all that stuff there and sat in one of the classrooms to get some rest under the fan and click pictures. Ras also wanted to practice a dance step before going again. Suddenly the security guard came and scolded the other senior girls who were there since a little more time than us. We were saved, and acted as if we were still fixing our attire and hair by helping each other; sneaked out in an unknowing manner.

We then joined Vedi, Vay and Jiya at the snacks corner where they bought cheesecakes. I ate nothing since I already had snacks at home and wasn't willing to eat anything at that point of time (I didn't money too intentionally). I took some of their candid pictures. Jiya also met Rush (A new boy in our class; joined in June) and talked to him; guided him. Not less than a cupid (inspired from Tanny), I took their pictures and Vedi later joined and posed in such a way to add fuel to the fire. Vedi was about to kiss Jiya on cheeks while hugging her when I clicked their picture at the perfect moment. I would surely want it to go viral but nevertheless it can't. Or else I might be killed the next day!!!

We came out and danced for sometime more. We were waiting for our favourite part - Timli when Ras heard that she was going to get 2nd/3rd prize for the best attire in seniors (2 categories were there for dance and dress). Her stunning jewels were definitely worth though. Due to this, they stayed back instead of going and even I called my dad to pick me up late. But I was awestruck when I heard that a nerd of our class (D the rote master) won the first prize for attire even when he was just wearing a white kurta with a minimalist chuni. We all deduced down to the fact that his mom always butter polishes school people and this guy always flexes the small advantages he has. So nepotism and conspiracy continue their legacy.

The program ended on a good note. I also met Darshi and her family; clicked pictures. Later my father and brother came ; talked to Darshi's father and we went on to order food for the movie night at home!