Dussehra 2022: Mumbaikars celebrate with food, dance and festive fervour

For Veena Vikas Bandekar, this Dussehra is going to be different because she will be celebrating it after two years, not only because of the Covid-19 pandemic but also because her husband passed away in 2021. Having brought in the festival every year for the last 28 years as a ritual with her in-laws, the Ghatkopar resident is excited to bring in the festival like many other Mumbaikars after the brief hiatus. While her extended family are no more, the 55-year-old is bringing in the festival this time with her son. "I will be making shrikhand-puri to eat in the morning like we always do, it will be followed by dal bhat, and some kind of bhaji to name a few dishes. We will also be worshipping Goddess Saraswati on Dussehra," says Bandekar.

Like every year before the pandemic, the Mumbaikar took the liberty to watch Navratri in the central suburb as many took to the streets to indulge in song and dance. This is even though she has moved to another neighbourhood because the building she resided at, is currently under redevelopment. "It feels good to finally celebrate Dussehra. Yes, I do miss celebrations in my old area. However, since we have moved to a new area, I will be looking to celebrate the festival with my new neighbours because they are also very nice," she adds.

Every year, the city comes alive during the ongoing festive season. This time has been very refreshing and special because Mumbaikars, who haven't been able to celebrate the likes of Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh Chaturthi were finally able to do it to the fullest. In continuation, they have also been enjoying Navratri with fasting, feasting and dance. The nine days culminate with Dussehra, an annual Hindu festival, which is marked by burning the effigy of ten-headed Ravana, to depict the win of Lord Ram over the demon king, and good over evil. Mid-day Online asked four Mumbaikars how it feels to bring back the festivities this year, and Bandekar is one of them.

Tradition and enthusiasm
Elsewhere in Sion, octogenarian Seema Muranjan is as excited as can be about Dussehra celebrations like always. It is simply because she grew up in a household of 11 siblings, which meant that every festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the house. Such is her enthusiasm for the festival that while others would opt for the comfort of their home, the 86-year-old has been celebrating by visiting various pandals and watching people play garba. She explains, "This year is very different because Navratri is celebrated on a larger scale. It's like we are back to pre-Covid days. Seeing people dressed in colourful attires and bond over garba brings so much joy and also the assurance of the happy days ahead. I also participate and sing for aartis."

While the last week has been busy, today is going to be equally fun. Muranjan, who keeps a fast on the first and second last day, will be ending her fast. "The food is simple and purely vegetarian and paired with shrikhand or something sweet. The tradition that we follow especially on Dusshera is to visit our close friends and family and give them sona (Bidi tree leaf). It is considered to be auspicious and is a unique way of wishing prosperity and happiness. While handing out the sona the elderly says, "Sona sambhalun thev, ani hyacha sona kar" (Keep this safe, and get yourself some gold)." Continuing a family tradition, Muranjan reveals happily, "One of my sisters lives in Girgaon and she has Navratri celebrations at her place, which couldn't happen during Covid but this year it did, I made sure to visit her and binged on mithai and shared laughter just like the good old days. It is my personal tradition."

Play Quiz: How well do you know the Dussehra festival?

Gold, song, dance and food
It is no different for Tardeo resident Anup Mastakar, who says the celebrations are going to be very different compared to the last two years. He explains, "It's so much fun to meet friends and family, play garba, sing aartis and enjoy the delicacies. People have most definitely not forgotten how to have fun." Like other houses in the city, members of Mastakar's house traditionally put a toran (garland) on their main door and all vehicles at home. They will also pray to the Devi maa hand-painted by him. "After that, we eat jalebi-gathiya for breakfast, followed by basundi puri and kesari bhaat (kesar rice) for lunch." Mastakar speaks to us just before he heads to another day of garba, so it is no surprise when he tells us, "I also love to follow the colours of Navratri and make sure I dress up in dhoti kurta or a traditional dress every day and play garba. I am crazy about garba."

Like Muranjan, even Mastakar's family follows the Dussehra tradition and distributes the sona when they visit their family and friends. "While handing it out, we hope it brings prosperity and happiness. For fun, my parents say in Marathi "Sona ghe ani baiko la mast dagine kar" (Take this gold and make some alluring jewels for your wife). We also purchase gold on that day to seek the blessings of goddess Laxmi Maa. Dusshera is truly a day of seeking blessings from the elderly and having fun with all the lovely people around.''

Mastakar's energy is infectious and unsurprisingly South Mumbai resident Heetej Kondkar is also looking forward to bringing in Dussehra celebrations. Kondkar says that words can't express the joy that he feels about finally being able to celebrate it this year. He explains, "It's so different this year. There were so many restrictions in the past few years due to Covid. But let's be honest, real happiness is without all the restrictions. Who doesn't love stuffing their face with unlimited prasad and playing dandiya and garba? It is super tiring yet fun."

The day will begin with the 27-year-old's family feeding cows, a ritual that they have been following in their family for a long time. It will be followed by prayers and enjoying a day of sattvic food. Kondkar continues, "I will celebrate by praying to Maa Durga and burning Ravana's effigy. After that, I will be heading to Girgaon Chowpatty for our society deity visarjan. While traveling there, we will most definitely be dancing with friends and chanting." With such a vibrant atmosphere, it is no surprise when he tells us that Dussehra makes him sad because the nine days of fun are over. However, Kondkar says he looks forward to the upcoming festivities like Diwali, which will be celebrated later this month.

Also Read: Want to innovate with your saree drape? Here are 7 unique ways