I love Gujaratis’ unmatched excitement for Navratri: Avika Gor

For Avika Gor, Navratri memories from childhood are as vibrant and vivid as the festival. “My fondest memory of Navratri is as a child when I had attended a huge event in Kolkata which had nearly 30,000 people in attendance. The energy of the people doing garba together, with the puja happening at the same time, it was a beautiful atmosphere; the sheer vibrancy of that crowd left an indelible mark on me,” recalls the Balika Vadhu actress. Excerpts from a chat:

‘I cherished Falguni Pathak’s shows’

If I had to pick a favourite Navratri memory from my childhood, it has to be that of attending Falguni Pathak’s shows. Back then, I used to hear a lot about her performances, and later, I even got the opportunity to be on stage with her as a guest. Experiencing that in person after hearing so much about it remains one of my most cherished memories. Also, the way Gujaratis celebrate the festival with such enthusiasm is unmatched. From savouring authentic Gujarati festive food and fasting in their own unique way to performing pujas, and of course, dressing up every evening — it’s this cultural immersion that makes me look forward to Navratri every year. From savouring authentic Gujarati festive food to performing pujas, and of course, dressing up every evening — it’s this cultural immersion that makes me look forward to Navratri every year.

‘Pari Hoon Main is the first song that comes to mind’

I get to travel a lot during Navratri, which makes the festival even more exciting for me. One night I might be in Ahmedabad or Surat, the next in Kolkata, then Delhi, and later Mumbai — it's like a whirlwind but so much fun. My favourite singer for Navratri has to be Falguni Pathak, and whenever I think of her, the first song that comes to mind is Pari Hoon Main.

‘Good sleep is key to glowing skin’

Honestly, you don’t need to worry too much about fitness during Navratri because the amount of dancing itself burns so many calories. Still, for actors and the health-conscious, it’s important to eat carefully and enjoy the celebrations in moderation. Even if I miss the gym occasionally, I make sure not to miss my workouts for long. Since Navratri nights usually stretch late with a lot of events, I try to balance it with proper rest. Sleeping well — waking up a little late after a long night — is my simplest yet most effective beauty ritual. I feel good sleep is the best way to keep your skin glowing during the festival.

‘Traditional Gujarati prints and styles will dominate’

This Navratri, I feel mirrorwork, Bandhani prints, and traditional Gujarati styles are dominating the fashion scene. I love wearing long, flowy skirts that twirl beautifully while doing garba. Oxidised jewellery, statement bindis and tikas, and experimenting with colourful eyeliners are definitely my go-to trends this season.