Raashii Khanna Reflects on Celebrating Dussehra and Navratri During Her Younger Days, Talks About Its Significance!
The versatile actress looks back at community celebrations in Delhi, childhood Kanjak memories, and her annual tradition of donating books.
For Raashii Khanna, festivals like Dussehra and Navratri bring a wave of wholesome memories, right from community celebrations in Delhi to the rituals she followed at home. On the occasion of Dussehra, Khanna took a look back at the traditions that continue to remain close to her, along with the significance of the festivities and her annual tradition of donating books to children.
“Dussehra was always a community affair for me while growing up in Delhi. We would head to the Ram Leela grounds, watch the performances and wait for Ravan Dahan. There was something magical about coming together as a community to witness the celebrations and the triumph of good over evil. I found that incredibly exciting, and I still do,” says Raashii. “Looking back, I miss those days because, as an actor, it is a little difficult to get into a crowd today. Dussehra and Navratri have always been very special back home in Delhi,” she adds.
For Khanna, Navratri festivities remain equally meaningful as they serve as a reminder of the values of gratitude and unity. “Navratri brings back a lot of childhood memories and the traditions we followed at home, especially Kanjak. When I was a little girl, we would visit people’s houses. They would wash our feet, treat us like Devi and give us prasad. It was a very sweet tradition. There was a sense of excitement around Navratri when I was growing up. As a child, I looked forward to the festivities, but today I value the sense of grounding, gratitude and togetherness the festival brings,” she says.
Navami too holds a special place for the actress, especially for the traditional food and rituals that the day brings. “I look forward to making halwa, chole and puri and performing the puja on Navami every year. It reminds me of home, and I get to enjoy the meal guilt-free! These are very pious days, and my mother has always fasted during Navratri. I used to fast too, but my hectic schedule no longer allows me to,” she adds.
In addition to celebrating the festivities, the actress makes the occasion even more meaningful by donating books to children. “It started when I was pursuing my Bachelor of Arts at Lady Shri Ram College. I was an English Honours student there, and I understood the importance of reading,” she says, adding, “It is an opportunity to reflect on the things we want to overcome within ourselves, whether it is fear, anger, ego or negativity. The more you read, the more those lines begin to blur, and you gain a better perspective on life. I think this should start when you are young. I think the best gift I can give someone is a book, and I do this every year.”
While Raashii Khanna basks in the festivities, she is gearing up to leave audiences stunned with a string of exciting releases. From Dharman alongside Rajinikanth, Farzi Season 2 with Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi, to Maujan Hi Maujha with Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee, Raashii Khanna is definitely not holding back!
By Keerti Kadam