What begins in one home can create a sense of home for many others!
Updated: 6 days ago
In Indian tradition, home is our first temple—a place where we pray, celebrate, find peace, and stay connected to our roots. Many of our traditions begin at home, with a diya, prayers, songs, festive food, and time with family and friends.
For me, celebrating Navratri at home started as a simple way to keep that connection alive. After COVID, when many of us had spent so much time apart, celebrating at home felt even more meaningful. It gave us a chance to reconnect with our traditions and create a sense of togetherness.
Why did I start Navratri celebrations at home, and why has it grown beyond that?
One of my fondest childhood memories is our next-door neighbor hosting poojas during the nine days of Navratri, filled with bhajan singing and sharing different varieties of prasad each day. I was always captivated by the uplifting energy of those gatherings, and I still cherish the tradition and look forward to it every year.
For the past 25 years, my dear friend Manju Kolli from California has been hosting 9 days of Navratri Pooja with her friends in their homes. Every year, she shared pictures with me, and while I always wished we could do something similar in Spokane, I never thought it was possible. However, last year, another friend from another state reached out to say they have been hosting these celebrations in their town for two years now and encouraged me to start this tradition in Spokane, so I did.
In our first year, we had a small celebration with a Telugu group. This year, for our second, some of us wanted to invite the Spokane Desi Indian Women’s Club and welcome others who could join us. Friends from many backgrounds brought their own traditions and experiences, and, most importantly, open hearts and a welcoming spirit. India is a land of many languages, many regions, various customs, and traditions, and that diversity is what makes our culture so beautiful. Bringing these different experiences together gives us a chance to celebrate not just Navratri, but the richness of Indian culture itself in our own small way.
It is still a simple home celebration, but it has taken on a new meaning. It is about opening our home, sharing our traditions, and creating a space where people can come together, connect, and celebrate. Perhaps that is the beauty of celebrating at home—what begins in one home can create a sense of home for many others.
The universe is constantly sending us signals, sometimes more than once. We need to be aware enough to notice them and find clarity in what they may be telling us. So, why am I sharing this now? Check out my thoughts on a FB Post from Nov. 2020.
Comments