In India, no festival is ever complete without colours. Think about it, Holi is the festival of colours, Dussehra dazzles in vibrant outfits, Diwali sparkles with colourful crackers, and Christmas feels brighter with festive hues. Navratri is no different. Over nine nights, people celebrate with garba, devotion, and of course, the nine special Navratri colours — one for each day. But here’s the exciting part: in 2025, we’re adding a fresh shade to the palette — green. Not the Navratri colour itself, but the green of sustainable living. Let’s visit the sustainable Pujo Pandals across India that are making it happen, redefining celebrations with conscious, planet-friendly practices.

Eco-Friendly Celebration: What It Really Means?

Going sustainable during festivals like Navratri doesn’t mean giving up fun or tradition. In fact, it’s about reimagining joy and celebrating with care: keeping the spirit of culture, community, and celebration alive while also respecting the planet.

Eco-friendly Celebration

For example, in Indore, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is bringing the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) concept to life at the city’s largest Pujo Pandals, like Gopur Square. They’re working hand-in-hand with organisers and devotees to cut waste at the source, discourage single-use plastics, and recycle flowers into incense sticks and compost. Simple steps like these make the celebrations more meaningful, adding a green vibrancy to the festival just like the Navratri colours do.

Read on to see how people, brands, and local groups are giving festivals a green makeover—with innovative ideas, community spirit, and a strong commitment to celebrating sustainably.

The Significance of Navratri Colours

Navratri colours represent different energies and moods across the nine days, inspiring devotion, positivity, and celebration. Interestingly, the tradition of wearing specific colours was popularized by Maharashtra Times in 2003, linking each day’s colour to an avatar of Goddess Durga and turning it into a beloved cultural trend.

Dr. Pranab Das shared that, over the years, each colour has come to hold its own special significance. For example, “In Navratri, the green color is more than a symbol—it is nature’s own voice reminding us of life itself. It reflects growth, balance, and the promise of continuity—an invitation for us to nurture what sustains us and protect the fragile harmony of our planet. To embrace green in this festival is to honor life, to recognize our bond with the Earth, and to commit ourselves to living in harmony with the rhythm of nature.”

Significance of Navratri Colours

Celebrating Navratri the Green Way: 2 Must-Visit Pujo Pandals

We wanted to know where to find the most sustainable Pujo celebrations, so we asked around! And, we met two amazing people who shared about their favourite Pujo Pandals with us—their stories left us inspired, and we’re sure they’ll spark the same excitement in you too.

Anandam Association – Pune

Originally from Kolkata and now settled in Pune, Saurabh Ganguli, co-founder and CEO of DelphianLogic, says Anandam Association is one of his go-to spots to celebrate Navratri. This socio-cultural group has been actively organizing religious and cultural events in Pune’s NIBM, Kondhwa, and Wanowrie areas for over 20 years. Saurabh visits this Navratri Pujo Pandal every year to soak in the amazing atmosphere, seek Maa Durga’s blessings, and, of course, spend time with friends amid the festive cheer.

Festival Family Time

This year, the Navratri celebration at Alankaran Hall is a beautiful blend of devotion and festivity, but with a green twist. The beautiful Ma Durga idol, made by Kolkata artisans with traditional craftsmanship, and vibrant performances honour the cultural roots and support thriving communities. Local vendors showcase handmade crafts and food, while the Bhog is served in reusable cutlery. Even visarjan is eco-friendly, with the idol immersed in government-provided tanks, keeping our rivers pollution-free and making the event sustainable.

Anandam Association is truly reimagining Navratri in greener colours. So, if you’re in Pune, come be a part of it – celebrate the season, the spirit, and the planet.

And if you’re looking for more Puja vibes in Pune? Rahil Mahtani, AVP at DelphianLogic, recommends checking out Congress Bhavan, Ruhia Palace in KP, and Kali Badi in Aundh.

Durgotsab GK-2 – New Delhi

Durgotsab GK-2 - New Delhi

When we say “celebrating the green way,” most people think of eco-friendly products or tree-plantation drives. But sustainability is much bigger—it covers 17 different aspects! Amrita Gooptu introduced us to Durgotsab GK-2, a New Delhi Pandal that embraces nearly all of them, while keeping heritage and tradition alive since 1992. This Durga Puja family blends celebration, inclusiveness, and sustainability and sets an inspiring example. 

Originally from Kolkata, Amrita has been living in Delhi for the past 17 years and was introduced to this Pujo by a friend. What drew her in was how, despite being a public celebration, it felt homely—everything managed in-house by passionate volunteers and a creative community, giving the Pujo its unique charm.

Thoughtful Navratri Celebration

Building on years of thoughtful celebration, this Navratri, the group is going even bigger and greener. Teaming up with NGOs and conscious brands, they’re making sure everyone can join in the fun and feel part of the festivities. Here’s the details of who and what to expect at Durgotsab GK-2.

  • Goonj: This NGO will have a stall at the event to share their initiatives and collect Pandal cloth and tents for recycling, giving them a new lease on life.
  • Niyam Sewa Trust: Widows from this ashram have been invited to join the Navratri celebrations just like everyone else, taking part in all Puja rituals—including Dhunuchi Nach and Pushpanjali—and becoming a vibrant part of the festivities.
Dhunuchi Nach
  • Aadi (Action for Ability Development and Inclusion): This NGO is setting up a stall at the Navratri Pujo Pandal to spread awareness about how people with disabilities are an integral part of society. Their volunteers are also working with the organizers to print event details in Braille, making sure everyone feels included in the celebrations.
  • Braj Animal Care: This NGO has a stall at the Pujo Pandal, where they will teach kids compassion for animals. Kids can join drawing activities and discover how caring for animals can be easy, joyful, and a part of everyday life.
  • Little Umbrella Foundation: This NGO helps underprivileged children by teaching through unconventional, creative ways like painting, dancing, and storytelling. At their stall in the Pujo Pandal, they’ll set up a fun zone packed with kid-friendly activities that make learning joyful.
  • PeeSafe: Their stall will be buzzing with fun activities, giveaways, and awareness sessions—teaching festival-goers simple ways to stay clean and hygienic, while highlighting eco-friendly products that make celebrations safer and greener.
Navratri Decor

Adding to the magnificence of their sustainability initiatives, the Durgotsab GK-2 organizers have gone the extra mile to include what was missing in previous years. For instance, they’ve installed a ramp so people using wheelchairs can reach the idol and offer prayers just like everyone else.

PWD-Friendly Ramp

It really makes you think—going green isn’t just about eco-friendly products or supporting sustainable brands. With 17 SDGs in mind, even small actions like this can create a big wave of change. Hats off to Anandam Association and Durgotsab GK-2 for showing how Navratri Pujo Pandals can be both festive and sustainable, turning small, thoughtful actions into a big impact!

This Navratri: Greener Vibes Only!

Navratri Colours

Festivals are all about coming together—and now, we can celebrate them mindfully too! This Navratri, don’t only choose eco-friendly products but also add a touch of green to all the rituals of your festivities. 

Dr. Pranab pointed out that, “To make our celebrations greener, we can return to the essence of simplicity—just as nature intended. Each choice we make—less glitter, less waste, less noise—is not a sacrifice of festivity, but an offering of gratitude to the rivers, forests, and skies that silently sustain us. When we celebrate this way, the festival doesn’t end after nine days; it continues in every leaf, every drop of water, every breath of clean air we preserve.”

Inspired by the meaningful insights on Navratri colours and traditions, and the creativity of these Pujo Pandals, we hope you sprinkle a little sustainable green into your own celebrations this year—and every year to come. If you visit any of these or other sustainable Pujo Pandals, tag us on your socials and share the joy! Spread the word with friends, and if you’re a sustainable brand, reach out to see how you can join in creating greener festival experiences.

References:

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/indore-to-adopt-zero-waste-theme/articleshow/124020767.cms 
  2. https://www.cntraveller.in/story/from-trend-to-tradition-how-the-9-colours-of-navaratri-became-a-thing-maharashtra-times

203 Read this article