Given the current novel times, most of us will be restricted to our premises with intimate celebrations. But does it dampen the spirit of the upcoming festivals? Of Course not! While Navratri is synonymous with Garba nights, Pandal hopping and Falguni Pathak, it also resonates with praying, fasting (or feasting), and our favorite part, sparkling dresses in tantalizing colors. Don’t forget ladies, we dress for ourselves before we dress for an audience. So we at Knotty Knitters have decided to give you ample opportunities to adorn your Indian ensembles at the best prices; This Navratri 2020 use code NAVRATRI20 to get a whopping 20% off on a minimum purchase of Rs 1000 from our website.

Though the upcoming season is supposed to be a holiday package with enjoyment, the festive nights are often preceded by days of hectic preparations, last-minute shopping, and coordinating meetups, all the while being at the top of your fashion game; What colors to go for, which dress is the most suitable for the occasion, whether to pull off a subtly breezy or a heavily ornamented attire, all this brainstorming and much more. Let’s make this process easier and break it down to the nine color codes of Navratri – Grey, Orange, White, Red, Sky Blue, Pink, Royal Blue, Yellow, and Green – from Day 1 all the way to Day 9.

Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri mentioned in some of the Hindu religious texts- Magha, Vasanta, Ashada & Sharada. Out of these four, only two became significant with time, one which is observed near spring (March-April) and one which is observed (and celebrated with much vigor) near autumn (October-November). The autumn Navratri or Sharada Navratri is celebrated throughout the country, observance varying from region to region. But the larger context in all these celebrations remains the same- Victory of Good over Evil.

Two regional Navratri celebrations that outshine the others in terms of grandeur and creativity are from the states of Gujarat and West Bengal. First, let’s talk about the latter because a very interesting altar (pandal) has caught the attention of people for all the good reasons. Bengal is just a week away from its very dear festival, Durga Pujo. Organizers are busy in the last minute hassle with their pandals which are based on themes that range from eco-friendly ones to extravagant designs.

One such organizer is the Barisha Club Durga Puja committee from Kolkata who has dedicated their theme to migrant workers and the hardships they had to face during the lockdown period. The goddess idol in the pandal has been replaced by a migrant worker carrying her child.

When it comes to attire Bengali women dazzle in the signature Tant sarees with broad borders. As one travels to the west side of the celebrations we get more variety in colors and decorations that come with fabric. The nights are lit with energetic vibes of Dandiya and Garba dance forms, which is why people require dresses with more volume and movement. Traditionally women prefer Lehenga Choli, which has three components- A long and flowy skirt (lehenga), a blouse (choli), and a stole (dupatta). These clothing items come ornamented with sequences, thick borders, and an effervescent mirror work from Gujarat, known as Abla work.

If ornamented is not your thing, you can always opt for equally exquisite Bandhej/ Bandhani fabrics. A timeless craft in which fabrics like cotton, chiffon, crepe, etc. are tied and dyed in natural colors to create famous patterns like Mothara, Leheriya, and Ekdali, Bandhani fabric is very popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan and are widely associated with the Navratri season. (Also Read: Tie And Dye Bandhani: Why Knotty Knitters is in love with this craft!)

Long story short, if you really want to get into the groove of this ongoing Navratri season, look for options with more vibrancy. When else are you going to shimmer if not the Dussehra-Diwali period? Truth be told, the first half of 2020 brought the whole world to a stall from which we are yet to emerge. But we will emerge healthier and stronger, with the blessings of Ma Durga and the right decision making of our community. And the collective wisdom says one should keep taking COVID-19 precautions. The Government of India has also released certain guidelines keeping in mind the occasion and the situation:

1. Stay at home if you’re feeling or keeping unwell

2. Elderly people (> 65 years of age) and children (< 10 years) have been advised to stay at home.

3. Pregnant women should avoid attending large gatherings.