When Tradition Met Instagram This Navratri

Navratri is one of the most beautiful festivals in India. The streets become vibrant, temples fill with devotees, and the atmosphere feels alive with devotion. This year, however, my visit to a nearby temple gave me an unexpected memory that I will cherish for a long time.Yesterday, I visited a temple to seek Devi Mata’s blessings. I closed my eyes and prayed for my family’s health, happiness, and the well-being of our nation. For a few moments, everything around me seemed peaceful. When I opened my eyes, I looked at the beautiful idol of the Goddess and felt grateful for the opportunity to experience such serenity.As I prepared to leave, a group of men caught my attention. They were dressed in bright red traditional outfits that reminded me of warriors from centuries ago. They had brought musical instruments and appeared ready to perform bhajans and kirtans for the devotees. Fromtheir dialect, I gathered that they had travelled from villages in Maharashtra.Their appearance was fascinating, but their expressions were even more beautiful. They carried themselves with pride, and their devotion was visible in their smiles.I noticed an elderly man in the group who reminded me of a loving grandfather. His face radiated warmth, and I wondered how many years he had spent participating in such devotional gatherings. I approached him politely and asked whether I could take his photograph.He happily agreed. After clicking the picture, I showed it to him, and his face lit up with delight.

Encouraged by his reaction, I approached another man, who appeared to be one of the musicians. He was sitting on a chair with his instrument resting on his lap. After obtaining his permission, I took his photograph and showed it to him.He appreciated the picture, but then asked something I hadn’t expected.“Are you going to upload it anywhere?”

I was surprised by the question. I explained that I hadn’t decided yet, but I had wanted to capture their beautiful traditional attire because it was something we rarely encountered in everyday life.He smiled and suggested that I upload the photograph to Instagram. According to him, it might earn me plenty of likes and followers!

I couldn’t help smiling at his enthusiasm. Somewhere along the way, I had assumed that someone from a rural background might not be familiar with social media trends. His casual 

suggestion challenged that assumption completely.That little interaction taught me something valuable. We often underestimate people because of where they come from or how they live. But interests, curiosity, and familiarity with technology are not limited to any particular background.

I left the temple with Devi Mata’s blessings and a wonderful story to remember. This Navratri, I discovered that tradition and modernity can 

exist beautifully together—and sometimes, the most unexpected encounters become our favourite memories.