Maria Alexandra didn’t expect a Navratri celebration at a Mumbai mall to make her emotional. But as she watched people dance Garba, she found herself thinking about leaving India one day, and how much she’d miss moments like this.In a video shared on social media, Alexandra, who is from Romania, turns her camera towards the crowd. People in colourful traditional outfits are dancing to the music, enjoying the festivities and celebrating together.It’s a familiar sight during Navratri in Mumbai. For Alexandra, though, watching everyone dance brought up feelings she hadn’t quite expected.
What she found so special about Garba
Dressed in a white kurta and jhumkas, Alexandra filmed the celebrations and spoke about what had caught her attention. It was the meaning behind Garba that really moved her.During Navratri, Garba is performed in honour of Goddess Durga. For many devotees, it’s not just about dancing or celebrating with friends. It’s also a way of expressing their faith.“What I found really moving is that the dancing itself is considered a form of worship,” she said.Watching people take part in a tradition so closely tied to their faith clearly left an impression on her. And as she stood there watching the celebration unfold, she began thinking about her own life in India.
‘I’m definitely going to miss this once I’m gone’
Alexandra admitted that she wasn’t quite sure what had made her emotional. Maybe it was the celebration itself, her appreciation for Indian culture or simply the thought of leaving the country one day.“Whatever it was, I think it was just one of those moments when I realised that I’m definitely going to miss this once I’m gone,” she said.Anyone who’s lived away from home for a long time might recognise that feeling. You get comfortable in a place, build a routine and start enjoying little things without giving them much thought.Then something happens that makes you realise just how attached you’ve become.For Alexandra, it was watching a crowd dance Garba at a Mumbai mall. She was simply enjoying the festivities, but the moment made her think about what it would be like to no longer be around for celebrations like these.
Her video has people sharing their love for India
Along with the video, Alexandra wrote about how experiences like this reminded her why she’d fallen for India in the first place. She also asked people who celebrate Navratri to share what the festival means to them.Viewers responded warmly, with some talking about the things they love about everyday life in India. Others appreciated her interest in understanding Indian traditions, while a few encouraged her to experience festivals such as Durga Puja and Diwali.Her reaction also offered a fresh perspective on a celebration that many Indians grow up with. For those who’ve celebrated Garba for years, the music and dancing are a familiar part of Navratri. But seeing someone from another country become emotional while watching it can make you appreciate the tradition in a different way.
Sometimes, you don’t realise how much you’ll miss a place
What makes Alexandra’s moment so touching is that nothing extraordinary was happening. She was at a mall, watching people enjoy a festival. Yet it made her think about leaving a country she’d grown attached to.And that’s often how these feelings creep up on you. It’s not always a big occasion or a major life event that makes you realise how much a place means to you. Sometimes, it’s a song, a familiar face or a celebration you happen to walk past.For Alexandra, it was Garba.Watching people dance during Navratri reminded her that India had given her experiences she would carry with her, even after leaving the country.She may not know exactly when that day will come, but the thought of it was enough to make an ordinary evening feel a little more special.