The aarti is about to begin at the Durga Puja pandal at M Block in Greater Kailash-2 as the Navratri celebrations enter the ninth day on Tuesday. Around 100 devotees gather to witness the ritual. The rhythmic beats of the traditional dhaak fill the air as the drummers take their places. Women, holding dhunuchi (incense burners), sway gracefully to the music, dancing in devotion.

But this year, there’s a powerful break from tradition — instead of a male priest leading the aarti, two women step on the dais to perform the rituals. They begin the prayer with a resounding Ulu dhwani. Their strong, high-pitched calls, echoing through the pandal, mark a moment of reverence and change.

Priyanka Chakravarti and Neelanjana Ganguly — the two trained female purohits or priestesses — have come all th

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