NAVRATRI

POOJA THALI

for Navratri

A hindu celebration to honor the Goddess Durga.

Can’t believe it’s almost that time of the year again (doing my happy dance!). I want my girls to love dancing just as much as I do, but I want them to love Garba even more! I grew up in a house where Navratri was a very cherished time. Family, friends, food, the traveling, clothes, dancing, togetherness, college football (it’s all within the same timeframe-WPS)… Not for the religious aspect, but the family values and memories that come with this specific time of the year are the reasons I love this holiday.

I actually remember my first time doing Aarti at a garba. YOU GUYS-I was 5 years old and did it with two of my cousins who were almost the same age as well. We held on to ONE Aarti thali being careful not to spill the ghee and prevent burns while swaying.

With that memory still in my mind, I wanted my girls to experience the same thing. SO the year I was pregnant with baby number 2, I drove to Walmart and purchased a few things to make my daughter an Aarti/Pooja thali. Granted, it is not traditional and perhaps I was putting the wrong thing in her mind about having to be careful.

This is my super active-can’t sit still-always on the go-child. There was no way I WAS GOING TO GIVE THAT KID A REAL AARTI DISH WITH A FIRE. I also know she doesn’t share. Which is why I made a few to give out to others.

They’re pretty easy to put together and worth seeing another kid smile!

HOW TO MAKE A KID-PROOF AARTI: Get your kids involved. For kids under the age of 3, I recommend STICKING/SECURING everything to the plate in one way or another (glue, hot glue, tape, super glue, etc). Last year, I used white acrylic disposable plates because they were sturdy and the prettiest ones I could find. You can use colored ones or perhaps even use one you already have.

Candle/Diya-we are just lucky that Navrati happens to come around Halloween. Battery powered tea lights are a dime a dozen and can be found almost everywhere

(Home Depot, Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc).

Double-side tape the bottom of the tea light to the plate (trust me on this) and then decorate! Think rhinestone, flower petals, glitter, rice, pompoms, stickers… I mean, the possibilities are endless. Give your child some supplies and let them do their “thang”. All you have to do is tape the the tea light to the plate. I double-side tape the tea light so it’s easy to remove and stick back on the plate. Turn the switch on during Aarti and turn it off as soon as the Aarti finishes to preserve all Navratri days.

Aarti Project — Decorate with things you have around the house. Use disposable plates and remake them every year.

Watching my daughter do Aarti, with her own dish, melted my heart and brought back so many memories. Definitely thankful for my childhood experience and family love. Because of the experience, I am able to think outside of the box and better the experience for my kids.