The nine days of Navarathri are not just about music, dance, and colourful doll displays — they are also a celebration of womanhood. Across the city, households are lit up with devotion as families worship Goddess Durga in her many forms, honouring her strength, grace, and compassion.
An integral part of the festival is inviting married women, young girls, and even children symbolising Goddess energy (Kanya Pooja) into homes, offering them gifts, bangles, and thamboolam. “When we give thamboolam to women, we are not just giving a gift — we are offering our respect, seeing Goddess Durga in them,” says Lakshmi Narayanan, a homemaker in Mylapore.
Navarathri in Chennai also carries a strong sense of community bonding. Neighbours visit each other’s kolu displays, exchange sundal, and share festive cheer. “This is the time when women come together, sing, pray, and celebrate each other’s presence. It strengthens the spirit of sisterhood,” notes Revathi Krishnan, a Carnatic music teacher from T. Nagar.
While the rituals vary, the essence remains the same — honouring feminine power. As many Chennaiites say, Navarathri is a reminder that every woman reflects Durga’s energy. “We see the goddess in every woman who nurtures, protects, and uplifts society. That is the real celebration of Navarathri,” adds Meenakshi Sundaram, a cultural enthusiast from Adyar.
The festival thus becomes more than worship — it’s a recognition of womanhood itself, woven with devotion, gifts, and gratitude.