Every year when Navratri begins across India, the old city of Ahmedabad transforms into a vibrant hub of colours, devotion, and cultural pride. Among the countless rituals observed, one tradition stands out and captures the curiosity of everyone—at Sadu Mata Ni Pol, a neighbourhood known for its heritage, a unique 200-year-old custom unfolds on the night of Ashtami.

On this night, men from the Barot community wear sarees and dance Garba. To an outsider, this may look like a dramatic reversal of roles, but for the locals, it carries a deep weight of penance, faith, and respect for history.

This age-old custom tells a tale that blends devotion, guilt, and resilience. It is not merely a folk performance; it is an emotional connection with an episode from the past that continues to guide the present. The story, passed down for generations, recounts how the community once failed a woman named Saduben—later worshipped as Sadu Mata. More than two centuries ago, she sought the help of Barot men when a Mughal nobleman tried to force her into becoming his concubine. “Sadly, the men did not defend her,” and the betrayal cost her the life of her child. Devastated, she cursed the men, declaring their descendants would live branded as cowards. Soon after, in grief, she ended her life by committing sati.

That curse became the seed of a tradition. To atone for their ancestors’ failure, men in Sadu Mata Ni Pol began dressing as women every Ashtami night during Navratri. By dancing in sarees, they acknowledge the suffering caused and bow in humility before Sadu Mata. The streets of the pol, filled with over 1,000 residents, become alive with music, chants, and the beats of Sheri Garba, a dance style carried forward for generations. The narrow lanes, old wooden houses, and heritage walls echo with devotion as people gather from across the city to watch this rare sight—men twirling gracefully in sarees, their eyes brimming with reverence.

A small temple dedicated to Sadu Mata stands in the pol, believed to house her spirit and soften the curse. On Ashtami, this temple becomes the epicenter of devotion. For the Barot community, wearing a saree is not just a costume—it is a powerful act of humility, repentance, and gratitude. Many men join not only to honour the past but also to thank the goddess for blessings they believe they have received. Some pray for health, some for children, others for prosperity—and when those wishes are fulfilled, they participate in the ritual as a heartfelt offering of thanks.

One man explained that he has been wearing a saree during the ritual for the past five years. His prayers for prosperity in business and the birth of a son were answered, and for him, this act is not a burden but a bridge that ties his modern life to the ancient faith of his community. Through his steps in Garba, he expresses gratitude, humility, and pride.

The ritual also highlights the historic role of the Barot community in Gujarat’s cultural fabric. Known traditionally as genealogists, storytellers, and custodians of oral traditions, the Barots preserved family records, especially for Rajput and Kshatriya families. They narrated epics, performed during festivals, and ensured that cultural memory was never lost. Though many of these roles have shifted with modern times, festivals like Navratri keep their identity alive, giving them a platform to practice unique customs like this one.

For those who participate, this night is more than a performance. It is an emotional offering to the goddess they believe has guarded their families for centuries. The pol itself becomes a living shrine, with men, young and old, dressed in bright sarees, each fold of fabric carrying the weight of history and faith. The sight of men dancing with tears of devotion in their eyes speaks more about culture than words ever could.

Ahmedabad, celebrated as India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, is known for traditions that connect the past with the present. The ritual of men in sarees performing Garba is one such tradition that keeps the city’s soul alive. Nestled among the 184 pols of the old city, Sadu Mata Ni Pol is not just a locality—it is a story of resilience, atonement, and the unbroken bond between a community and its goddess.

And while Navratri itself is a festival of nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga, the diversity of its celebrations across India shows the richness of Hindu culture. Each day honours a different goddess—Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri—and the way people celebrate differs from state to state. In Gujarat, it is Garba and Dandiya; in West Bengal, it is Durga Puja and Sindoor Khela; in Maharashtra, it is Ayudha Puja; in Uttar Pradesh, it is the enactment of Ramleela that concludes with Vijayadashami. Even food traditions differ—while eastern regions allow non-vegetarian meals, the north and west strictly prohibit them during these nine nights. Social media today has further blended these cultural practices, allowing traditions from one region to influence another.

This diversity is what makes Navratri extraordinary—it is not just about worship, but about how communities across India connect their emotions, culture, and gratitude to the divine in ways unique to their land.