“Some days, tea is the only answer.”
This morning, as the sun spilled golden light over my balcony and the incense curled in the prayer room, I stood in my kitchen holding a worn-out saucepan. In my other hand—hope. Hope for a peaceful day, a good boil, and maybe, just maybe, a little divine clarity.
Because it’s Navratri Day 8, and if there’s one goddess who understands tired feet, unfinished deadlines, and a heart that wants to do it all—it's Mahagauri.
She’s the calm after the storm. The soft white glow after nights of doubt. The symbol of cleanliness, serenity, and untamed feminine energy.
And today, to honor her, I did what I always do when words fail and prayers feel too formal—I made chai.
🌸 Mahagauri, the Divine Cup of Clarity
Navratri, to me, is more than fasting, garba reels, or eating sabudana in seven creative ways. It’s nine days of intentional living—each day inspired by a goddess who reminds us of something we often forget.
Day 8 is dedicated to Mahagauri, whose name literally means "extremely white." She rides a bull, wears white, and holds a trident and damru like a calm badass. She represents purity and transformation—cleansing us of the heaviness we carry.
And let me tell you something funny.
Every year on Ashtami, I deep clean the house, set up flowers around my tiny home mandir, and light the diya. But I also do something incredibly ordinary—I make myself a cup of tea. Slowly. Mindfully. As if the process itself were a form of meditation.
Because for me, tea is therapy. Tea is prayer. Tea is… personal.
🫖 Let’s Talk Chai: A Love Story Brewed Over Time
You see, chai is not just a drink in Indian households. It's our collective cultural heartbeat. It’s what we offer guests before they’ve even settled in. It’s what unites a room full of strangers at train stations. It’s what carries secrets, laughter, grief, and gossip.
I still remember watching my dadi sitting cross-legged on a wooden stool, her hands steady, her movements rhythmic—crushing ginger with the back of a spoon, throwing in tulsi leaves, and letting the milk boil until the kitchen smelled like warmth. That was my introduction to tea—not the beverage, but the ritual.
Over time, I’ve evolved my own style of tea-making. And if you’re new to chai, or even slightly intimidated by it (we do get passionate about our brews), don’t worry. This isn’t a masterclass. This is a love letter.
👩🏽🍳 How I Make My Cup of Peace (aka Chai)
Ingredients for 2 Cups:
1 cup water
1 cup full cream milk (lean not, live fully)
2 teaspoons Assam tea leaves (loose, not bagged)
1–2 teaspoons sugar (jaggery if you're trying to impress your diet)
2 green cardamom pods, crushed
A pinch of fresh ginger, grated
Optional but magical: 1 clove, a small stick of cinnamon, or 3-4 tulsi leaves
Method: A Drama in Five Acts
Bring water to a boil. Add crushed ginger and cardamom. Let them chat and dance in the bubbles.
Add tea leaves. Stir once. Don’t panic when the water turns deep brown—it’s supposed to look intense.
Pour in the milk. Watch the colors swirl and collide like Holi in slow motion.
Add sugar. Stir. (Don’t forget this step unless you like sipping on disappointment.)
Let it boil and rise—yes, watch it closely. Tea, like love, needs your attention.
Simmer. Let the flavors have their moment.
Strain into cups. Sip like royalty.
✨ What Makes Tea So Sacred (Especially Today)
On Navratri Day 8, when we’re focusing on inner purification and grace, tea becomes more than a comfort drink. It becomes a symbol.
Boiling: Letting go of impurities.
Simmering: Slowing down, absorbing what matters.
Serving: Sharing love and warmth with others.
Tea, just like faith, teaches patience. If you rush it, it bites. If you let it steep, it softens into something beautiful.
☕ My Morning Moment with Mahagauri
This morning, after offering halwa, puri, and chana to the little girls I invited over for kanya pujan, I sat down with my own sacred offering—my chai.
I placed it near the idol of Mahagauri, along with a marigold, a piece of jaggery, and the candle I light every day. Not out of ritual, but respect. Because if there’s one thing I know—the divine doesn’t need grandeur, just sincerity.
As I took that first sip, I swear I felt lighter. Not in a #detox kind of way, but in spirit. Maybe it was the cardamom. Maybe the goddess. Maybe both.
☀️ Tea and Spirituality: The Unexpected Connection
If you think about it, our ancients had it figured out:
Ayurveda recommends herbal teas for digestion, mood, immunity.
Buddhist monks sip green tea during meditation for clarity.
In India, we sip chai before prayer, during family conversations, and even while journaling.
Tea has always been part of the spiritual ecosystem—quiet but powerful.
💬 Tea Truths From a Life Lived Over Stovetops
I’ve had my fair share of chai blunders. Sharing them in case you’re human too:
Don’t walk away from boiling milk. It will rise like your ex’s ego and explode with equal drama.
Tea bags are not equal to chai. Fight me, but also try real tea once.
Ginger and lemon are not friends in milk-based tea. That’s a curdled mess waiting to happen.
Your first cup might not be perfect. Neither was your first chapati. Keep trying.
🪔 Navratri Ritual Meets Everyday Joy
There’s something beautifully poetic about Day 8 being dedicated to cleansing. It reminds me to detox not just the body, but my thoughts. To declutter not just my house, but my mind. And what better companion for that journey than tea?
Here’s what I try to do every Ashtami:
Light a diya in silence before the chaos begins.
Clean at least one corner of my home that I’ve ignored all year.
Call one woman I admire and tell her she’s inspiring.
Make tea—not in a hurry, but with intention.
Drink it while doing absolutely nothing else.
🫶🏽 Lessons I’ve Learned Over Tea
Not everything needs fixing immediately. Some things just need time to simmer.
Boiling too hard can ruin the brew. Life, too, needs gentler heat.
The perfect chai is personal. What’s sacred for me may be strange to you. And that’s okay.
Offer your time and warmth to people like you offer tea—freely and with a smile.
💌 A Little Note to You, Reader
If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Not just for reading, but for holding space with me today. Whether you’re fasting, feasting, dancing, or simply surviving this Navratri—I hope you take a moment today for yourself. Brew a cup. Light a candle. Sit still.
You deserve that stillness. You deserve that warmth.
And if you mess up the tea? Well, even the best of us burn the milk sometimes. (And yes, your pan will smell weird for three days.)
🍵 Final Sip: From My Stove to Your Soul
So here’s to Mahagauri, the goddess who teaches us to let go and shine. Here’s to tea—the drink that teaches us to be present. And here’s to you—for trying, failing, boiling, brewing, and always returning to your cup.
Because no matter what you’re going through, no matter what day it is—there’s a tea for that.
From my kitchen in Delhi to your cozy corner,
Happy Navratri Day 8,
and Jai Mahagauri! 🌸🫖✨
💬 Share Your Chai Ritual!
Do you have a favorite tea recipe? A Navratri tradition you hold dear? Drop it in the comments
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