Navratri rhymes with party...sort of.

So this past Friday I decided to mosey on over to the Navratri festival held at the south mall. The invitation I received said it started at seven P.M. and I, being the punctual person that I am, arrived right around 7:10. Well, there was hardly anyone else there, and I am pretty sure I was the only white person at the time. However, I didn’t feel like I stuck out too terribly bad: no one looked at me funny or anything like that. Although, while I couldn’t help but feel somewhat out of place, I think it was a good experience for me. Being the minority, maybe I could get a sense of what people of other religions feel like in America every day. Yet, it gives me great pride that I go to a university where such diversity is not only tolerated but encouraged. Overall, I had a very enlightening, positive experience.

A PAINTING OF ONE OF THE GODDESSES WHO WAS BEING CELEBRATED.

The first thing I did was head straight for the food line. When I was asked what I wanted to try, I just smiled and said “I want to try it all,” so they loaded up my tray. Essentially what I had reminded me a lot of and eastern version of Mexican food. My plate consisted of rice, a tortilla, a type of beef stew, some type of beans, and what I think was tofu. I don’t know if I was supposed to, but I just combined it all into one giant burrito. It was really good; it wasn’t nearly as different as I thought it would be. I also had something called a samosa, which I can’t really put my finger on. It was just a fried triangle with some vegetables on the inside. It was pretty good, though not as good as mimosas. I really did enjoy the food, but if I had to have a complaint it would be that the food wasn’t nearly as spicy as I thought it would be. I had heard so much about Indian food and how hot it was that I was almost afraid to eat it. Once I worked up enough courage to actually try it, I was shocked. My tongue didn’t burn at all. It was very anticlimactic.

SAMOSAS: GOOD, BUT NOT AS GOOD AS MIMOSAS.

One big difference that I noticed right away was how elegant all of the people were dressed. The most I have ever gotten dressed up for church was putting on a button up shirt and some slacks. Everyone there though was dressed up in these beautiful, flowing, colorful clothes. It made the simple act of watching people walk interesting. Also, very few people had any reservations about dancing. There was no hint of embarrassment on their faces, only signs of joy and happiness. The movements during their dances were very graceful, as if every step had a significant meaning (maybe they did). It truly seemed like every one there was enjoying themselves, enjoying the celebration of this religious holiday, rather than viewing it as an obligation, which I feel too often is the case in today’s society.

EVEN THE LITTLE ONES DRESSED UP. US? WE DIDN'T LOOK QUITE AS COOL.

Looking back on it, I am very glad that I went to the Navratri celebration. Not only did it teach me teach me about another religion that I had never experienced before, but also caused me to think about my own beliefs. I just find it so interesting to compare certain faiths. I truly enjoyed looking at the religious customs and artwork, knowing that to me it is just an awesome painting, but to millions of other people it represents their God. I am just glad that even in the tumultuous times of today, people of different religious backgrounds can coexist and get along so well. It made me really appreciate how special this university is. 

AN EXAMPLE OF THE RELIGIOUS STATUES.