Dress for Durga Puja

The festive season in Mumbai is popular not only with the Gujarati community; everybody wants to be part of it. So before you pick up those colourful dandiya sticks, make sure you’re wearing clothes and
 accessories to match. You can buy them or rent them. It’s simple, and a whole lot of fun.


Nine nights of music, dance, worship…that’s what Navratri is all about. Though the 10 pm deadline dampens the spirit, there are still many reasons to go out there, join the club and rejoice. What reasons, you ask? Why, dolling up for Navratri in itself is the best part of this happy fest!
People in Ahmedabad and Baroda are so enthusiastic about Navratri that they get special dresses stitched for all nine days. In some parts of Gujarat, it is believed that nine different colours must be worn for nine nights. As per local newspapers, these are the colours for September 2009:

Pratipada - Sep 19, Sat - Dark Green
Dwitiya - Sep 20, Sun - Orange
Tritiya - Sep 21, Mon - White
Chaturthi - Sep 22, Tues - Red
Panchami - Sep 23, Wed - Blue
Shasti - Sep 24, Thurs - Yellow
Saptami - Sep 25, Fri - Peacock Green
Ashtami - Sep 26, Sat - Parrot Green
Navami - Sep 27, Sun - Purple

Navratri and Durga puja (worship of Goddess Durga) are very important to Kolkata’s tradition. The shops are all lit up with special offers running; its that time of the year when the locals shop till they drop!
Keep in mind that you’re up for a traditional dance and music event (dandiya raas and garba) where everybody is going to be at their traditional best, what with those heavy, glitzy outfits. If you end up in your rugged jeans and t-shirt, you’re probably going to feel like an outcast! So check out these Navratri dressing tips.
For raas garba, men usually wear a chorno - a dress consisting of cotton drawers, and a short top called kediyu or angarakhu. The head is covered with a vivid turban called phento. Bottoms comprise of a loose, embroidered robe called dhoti. The traditional male outfit is adorned with accessories like neck piece, bali (ear piece) and kada. The outfit, especially the kediyu, looks fabulous while performing garba. Guys who want to dress lighter could simply opt for a traditional kurta and pants. Add a bright stole or bandhani dupatta for that traditional touch. Wear mojaris to complement the outfit but I say, dance barefoot!
Girls dress up in a chaniya-choli which consists of three pieces: a blouse (choli), a skirt (ghagra) and odhani (a stole of sorts). What sets the chaniya-choli apart from the regular ghagra-choli is the rich design, embroidery and mirror/abhala work on it.