📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Dody Guci
Religion
Gujarat Men Don Sarees for Navratri in 200‑Year‑Old Ritual
✍️ India Today
🗓 19 Oct 2026, 01:01 PM
👁 17
A centuries‑old tradition in Gujarat sees men dress in sarees during Navratri, a practice that continues in a local community.
In a small community of Gujarat, men take to the stage of Navratri dressed in traditional sarees, a sight that draws curiosity each year. The practice, which dates back roughly two centuries, forms an unusual yet integral part of the region’s festive celebrations.
The custom is believed to have originated around 200 years ago, though precise historical records are scarce. Over generations, the community has preserved the ritual, passing it down as a symbol of cultural identity and reverence during the nine-night festival dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Today, the saree‑clad men participate in the same dances and rituals as their female counterparts, creating a vivid tableau that highlights Gujarat’s diverse heritage. Observers note that the tradition not only reinforces communal bonds but also attracts visitors eager to witness this distinctive expression of Navratri.
The custom is believed to have originated around 200 years ago, though precise historical records are scarce. Over generations, the community has preserved the ritual, passing it down as a symbol of cultural identity and reverence during the nine-night festival dedicated to the goddess Durga.
Today, the saree‑clad men participate in the same dances and rituals as their female counterparts, creating a vivid tableau that highlights Gujarat’s diverse heritage. Observers note that the tradition not only reinforces communal bonds but also attracts visitors eager to witness this distinctive expression of Navratri.