{
  "id": 15215951,
  "title": "9 days, no sitting, no sleeping on ground: Satara village’s standing Navratri ritual",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/9-days-no-sitting-no-sleeping-on-ground-satara-villages-standing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T14:45:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/ubhyachi-navratra-standing-navratri-pande-village-wai-satara-kalbhairavnath-temple-chauphala-hammock-navas-10926087/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the village of Satara, located in Maharashtra's Wai taluka, a unique tradition called Ubhyachi Navratra, or Standing Navratri, has been observed for nearly 350 years. For nine consecutive days and nights, around 100 men gather at the Kalbhairavnath temple to stand, lean, and keep one foot on the ground at all times, adhering to a vow known as navas.\n\nThe participants, called Navratkaris, range in age from 18 to 65 and include villagers who work away from Pande, even the armed forces, who take leave to join the ritual. The devotion behind this tradition varies, with some taking the vow to fulfill a wish or to thank the village deity, Lord Kalbhairavnath, while others repeat it for multiple years, as stated by temple committee chairman Hemant Jadhav.\n\nThe rules of the Standing Navratri are strict. Participants are not allowed to sit or sleep on the ground; instead, they lean their chests against specially hung hammocks inside the temple, keeping one foot firmly on the ground. Jumping, brisk walking, and running are also prohibited to maintain a connection with the ground through their feet. Devotees dress in white during the aarti, remain barefoot, carry a wooden stick for balance, and observe a strict fast, abstaining from oil, salt, and chilli while relying on milk, fruit, and sago kheer.\n\nBreaking any of the rules, such as sitting down by mistake, requires confession to the temple priest and restarting the practice. Those who hide their mistake may face consequences like leg pain or illness, according to villager Rahul Jadhav. This tradition differs from the usual Shardiya Navratri, where hundreds of devotees remain standing continuously at the Lord Kalabhairava temple for nine days, from Ghatasthapana to Vijayadashami.\n\nThe ritual requires a significant commitment from the participants, with many traveling long distances to participate. Kishor Jadhav, a BSF commando posted in Meghalaya's Shillong, has attended the Standing Navratri for the last four years, even if it means missing Diwali leave. Despite the difficulties and the strict rules surrounding menstruation for women in participating families, the community maintains that the tradition fosters communal harmony, with both Hindus and Muslims participating side by side.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Satara village in Maharashtra observes Standing Navratri for nine days.",
    "Participants, called Navratkaris, stand, lean, and keep one foot on ground continuously.",
    "Strict rules prohibit sitting, sleeping, jumping, and using oil, salt, or chilli."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}