Celebrities share what Navratri means to them

As the festival of Navratri is being celebrated, actors share how they immerse themselves in the spiritual essence of the festival, honouring age-old rituals. Navratri is not just a time for festivity, but a reflection on the victory of good over evil — a theme that resonates deeply with their personal and professional journey.

Celebrities reveal how they make time for the nine-day celebration amidst their busy schedules and how its spiritual significance influences their life.

Energetic vibe: Anupama Solanki

It is my favourite time of the year. Mumbai becomes energetic after the Ganpati festival in August, followed by Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Govardhan and Bhai Dooj. In between, my birthday falls on November 2, so it’s back-to-back celebrations. The thing I love the most about Navratri is Garba. During my childhood, I used to go to the Dussehra mela, and of course, my all-time favourite, Ramleela, which always reminds me that truth is never defeated.

For strength and motivation: Megha Sharma

I’m excited to celebrate Navratri this year. I plan to keep fasts on the first and last day of the festival. During Navratri, we light a diya and keep it burning continuously for all nine days, and we perform a lot of pujas during this time. I truly believe Navratri brings me a lot of strength and motivation. There’s an energy during these nine days that makes me feel like I can overcome anything. It’s a deeply spiritual experience for me. Usually, the Navratri festivities happen in the evening, so I can sometimes take out a day or two to celebrate in the traditional way. Navratri is special because it marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura on the ninth day, and then we celebrate Dussehra.

Diyas and mantras: Sherleen Dutt

I celebrate Navratri by lighting a diya every morning and offering prayers to Goddess Durga. I also try to visit a nearby temple during these days, which gives me a sense of peace. If I’m home, I make time for a puja with my family, where we chant mantras and offer fruits and flowers to young girls for blessings. Navratri is a time of spiritual renewal and a reminder of the feminine divine power. It resonates with me personally because it symbolises strength and inner resilience, qualities I try to embody in my life. Navratri reminds me to stay strong, trust my instincts, and continue pushing forward, no matter what.

Cultural bonding: Ekta Tiwari

Forming a deep bond with our culture has always been important to me. One such occasion that resonates with me is Navratri. At this stage in my life, my work schedule doesn’t always allow me to celebrate as freely as I’d like. During my childhood, I used to run a Garba group. Along with that, I would do puja, fast, and observe other rituals during the festival. To me, Navratri represents the nine different forms of Goddess Durga. Each day is dedicated to a different roop (form) of the Goddess.

Honour the divinity: Raviraa Bhardwaj

Navratri is more than just a celebration—it’s a time for me to reflect and honour the divine feminine energy that we all carry within us. For me, this vibrant festival is a tribute to strength, spirit, and resilience. I may not follow specific rituals, but the cultural energy and devotion that come alive during Navratri are truly uplifting. I make time to attend Garba nights at least once or twice during the festival. I usually don’t fast, but I absolutely love indulging in the traditional Navratri foods like sabudana khichdi and kuttu ki puri. Navratri also symbolises the victory of good over evil, which is something I draw parallels with in my own life. No matter the challenges, perseverance, hard work, and a positive mindset will always lead to success.

Stay on path: Rohit Choudhary

Navratri, for me, is a time of deep reflection and mindfulness. It’s a reminder to always treat all women with respect, as they are the embodiment of strength and grace. Ashtami and Navmi hold a special place in my heart, where I celebrate with chole poori and honour little girls as living forms of the goddess. Navratri truly symbolises Nari Shakti — the strength of women. This festival serves as a beautiful reminder to stay on the path of positivity, and I carry its lessons with me throughout the year.

Close to roots: Nikhil Nanda

Navratri has always been special. It’s a period where we consciously remember and honour the Goddess for nine days, following certain rituals that bring us closer to our roots. Being a vegetarian and a teetotaler, I live this lifestyle year round, but I know many people make the conscious decision to abstain from non-vegetarian food and alcohol during this time, which is a beautiful gesture of devotion and discipline. In our home, we celebrate these nine days with special food prepared for Mata Rani. Fasting is another significant aspect of Navratri that many people observe, and we make sure to prepare special dishes suited for the occasion.

(As told to Dharam Pal)