Today was the 9th day of Vasanta Navaratri a festival of nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the spring season. Little girls, 10 and under, were called from all over Sankalp to come for pujas in homes. I was told because these little girls are so pure and innocent many believe the goddess is in them. Guess they haven't seen my kids at bedtime, eh?
But we did our part. The girls dressed up in fancy Indian clothes and went off to peoples' homes. The invitations came by word of mouth. Last night on the playground two women approached me and mentioned they heard I had 2 little girls and could I bring them by their apartment. After this puja finished the girls began chatting about who else had called them for a puja. My little goddesses listened up and made sure they were included in the next round of pujas. I would love to say it was because of the delicious food they were served-fried pooris, channa and sweets. Or perhaps for the cultural experience? No, it was because at every house they received an offering of 10 rupees.
This is the 2nd puja. All the little girls eating together.
But we did our part. The girls dressed up in fancy Indian clothes and went off to peoples' homes. The invitations came by word of mouth. Last night on the playground two women approached me and mentioned they heard I had 2 little girls and could I bring them by their apartment. After this puja finished the girls began chatting about who else had called them for a puja. My little goddesses listened up and made sure they were included in the next round of pujas. I would love to say it was because of the delicious food they were served-fried pooris, channa and sweets. Or perhaps for the cultural experience? No, it was because at every house they received an offering of 10 rupees.
This is the 2nd puja. All the little girls eating together.
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