Navratri, the festival of nine nights and 10 days is close. Nearly a week before, the preparations of Navratri has started in the City of Lakes which is blessed with fusion of various Indian traditions and cultures. While different programmes and events will be conducted in temples and colonies of Udaipur, a small colony commonly known for specific communities of carpenters and florists is attracting a huge crowd every year during Navratri. Sutharwara Mitr Mandal,a group that initiated the highly decorated and well arranged replica of hills and the temple of goddess Durga constructed on more than 40 feet high stage, is constructed in a narrow lane of Sutharwara where not more than a car can pass easily. With a height of about 8 feet the beautifully decorated idol of the Goddess will draw thousands of devotees each day till the end of Navratri. Nearly 100 volunteers under the leadership of Tulsiram Mali are already prepared to do their duties to arrange things and control the crowd at the time of Maha Arti and Dandiya Utsav. Interestingly, the temple stage has been made by Muslim laborers from West Bengal who is considered to be experts in this work and no local artists or workers can beat them in hard work and perfection. On the First day of Navratra that falls on 28 Sept this year 21 gunshots will be shot by members of Mewar Pratap Dal. Every year since 1994 Sutharwara Mitra Mandal has started organizing the event and no accounts have been maintained to count the expenses of organizing the programme, one of the volunteers told UT , “We have a big association and every member gives at least Rs.500 as contribution, then area shop owners also help us.” The Pandal (stage) will touch the height of 50-60 feet. Navratari at Suthawara is always special every year. We will keep covering this beautiful festival throughout 10 days.