In Maharashtra, they take on a challenge that requires great physical discipline. They do not sit down or lie on the ground to sleep. Instead, they stay on their feet, resting on rope hammocks that hang in the air while keeping at least one foot on the ground.
This unusual observance is called Ubhyachi Navratra or Standing Navratri. It takes place at the Kalbhairavnath temple in Pande village, Wai taluka, Satara district. While Navratri is celebrated across India with fasting, prayers, music and community gatherings, the people of this village follow a form of worship that is centred on a vow made to the deity, Lord Kalbhairavnath.
The villagers believe this tradition is 350 years old. No records have proven its exact history. Still, the people keep the tradition alive, showing how inherited religious customs shape the community's identity.
A Vow That Demands Nine Days of Discipline
The ritual starts with Ghatasthapana, the beginning of Navratri and lasts until Vijayadashami, called Dussehra. Those who join are called Navratkaris. The participants take the vow or navas to either make a wish come true or to thank the deity.
According to a report from The Indian Express in October 2026, 100 men took part in the observance that year. The participants were between 18 and 65 years old. Other reports in Marathi media said the number of devotees was 350 to 400.
The rules for this tradition are strict. Devotees must stay barefoot at all times. They cannot sleep on the ground. When tiredness comes, they can lean their chest against a rope hammock called a chauphala. They must keep one foot on the ground and lift the other for balance, and wooden sticks are allowed to help with balance.
Running, jumping, or brisk walking is against the rules. The participants must stay within the village boundaries until the vow is complete. If someone accidentally sits down, they must confess the mistake to the temple priest and start over.
The discipline continues with food. Devotees avoid oil, salt, chilli and other spices. They eat foods like sago kheer, fruit and milk. They wear clothes during the aarti. Most of their time is spent at the temple. They only go home for meals and personal needs, then return to continue the observance.
Faith, Family and the Village Deity
For participants, Ubhyachi Navratra is not just a personal act of worship. It is a family tradition passed down through generations. Hemant Jadhav, who is the chairman of the temple committee, told The Indian Express that some devotees promise to take part in the ritual for ten or even more years. In families, at least one member takes part. Some villagers who work far from home come back just to keep their vows.
One person who took part in the festival, Kishor Jadhav, a commando in the Border Security Force stationed in Shillong, commented to the newspaper that he had taken part for four years in a row. He said that whilst he may not get time off for Diwali, Navratri is more important for him to take part in.
These stories demonstrate how the religious festival can affect people's individual decisions, as well as affecting their travel and family lives. The festival is kept alive through many families in the village.
Nine Days of Music, Prayer and Community
Whilst the permanent vow is the most prominent feature of the festival, there are many religious and cultural community activities that take place throughout the nine days. There are bhajans, kirtans, gondhal and waghya murali.
On the last few days of Navratri, there are significant rituals. On the eighth day (Ashtami), there is a jagran, a night-long vigil to worship the deity. On the ninth day (Navami), devotees try to gain the deity's kaul.
The last day of the festival (Vijayadashami) sees the community performing seemollanghan, crossing the boundary of the village. They also exchange and distribute apta leaves, which are traditionally considered symbolic gold. This is associated with wealth, good luck and creating new relationships. After the final rituals have been performed, the devotees will end their fast.
This demonstrates how it is a personal challenge but also a community-based festival. The village can come together to demonstrate their shared religious and cultural traditions.
A Tradition That Crosses Religious Boundaries
One of the most prominent features of the festival is how people from different religious backgrounds participate. The Indian Express reported that Muslim villagers also participate.
"I see the festival as a unifying event." Harun Inamdar, A Muslim villager who has participated in the festival for 26 years, told the newspaper, "We don't have any religious discrimination in our village. I just join my fellow villagers and follow the rules."
This shows how local traditions can have meanings that go beyond their religious context. The village creates an environment where individuals feel like they are part of a community with others.
However, there have been reports of traditions and rules that apply to women during the festival. For those who menstruate in the families of the participants, there are arrangements in place. This demonstrates how they have passed down beliefs about purity during rituals but also raises questions about how traditions affect individuals within a household. Cultural traditions can create unity within communities but can also cause discussion.
Keeping a Tradition Alive
Ubhyachi Navratra provides insight into an unusual devotion. With a reported history of around three and a half centuries, strict rules and annual participation, it is an important part of Pande's culture. Whilst the exact origin is unclear.
The nine days of the vow represent faith, appreciation and dedication to the village deity. For the families and neighbours of those undertaking the vow, it is an annual community activity that keeps a local tradition alive.
Overall, the importance of Standing Navratri is not just the physical challenge but also the relationships involved. Through prayer, music, shared duties and the final Dussehra rituals, the residents of Pande continue to give meaning to a tradition that links them to those from previous generations.
References:
- The Indian Express — 9 Days, No Sitting, No Sleeping on Ground: Satara Village’s Standing Navratri Ritual
- Loksatta — Satara Village Keeps the 350-Year-Old Standing Navratri Tradition Alive
- Sakal — 350-Year-Old ‘Ubhya Navratra’ Tradition in Pandhe Village, Wai Taluka
- Pudhari — 350 Years of Standing Navratri in Pande: 400 Devotees Observe a Strict Vow
- Loksatta — Satara: Kalbhairavnath’s Navratri in Pande Village