Amid Navratri festivities, Bhairavgarh jail sees sudden devotion:Inmates accused of crimes fast and perform Garba with self-made band

While Garba pandals across the country burst with colourful celebrations and devotional fervour during Navratri, prisoners accused of serious crimes such as murder, robbery, and rape at Ujjain’s Central Bhairavgarh Jail are also worshipping the goddess and performing Garba. Male and female inmates dance Garba for 1.5 hours daily in their respective barracks. Additionally, 682 prisoners are observing fasts, with some surviving only on water while others follow a fruit-only diet. Inmates celebrate Garba wearing White attire According to Bhairavgarh Jail Superintendent Manoj Sahu, Garba celebrations in the jail began last year. This year, a statue of the goddess has been installed on the jail premises, decorated with flowers. Every day at 6 pm, inmates perform aarti, followed by Garba dancing until 7:30 pm. Prisoners of all ages take part, wearing white clothes and white caps during the festivities. Jail’s own live music band performs devotional tunes For the special occasion, the jail has created a live band within its premises. Inmates play instruments such as drums, dholak, synthesiser, and octopod. The Garba is entirely based on live music, with prisoners singing devotional songs to the Mother Goddess and dancing to the rhythm. The jail administration has carefully arranged a devotional atmosphere for the event. Many prisoners fast and seek forgiveness Superintendent Sahu said that out of 2,100 prisoners, 682 are observing fasts, including both men and women. They perform devotional worship, aarti, and recite prayers to the Mother Goddess. Some inmates fast for all nine days, while others survive on fruits or water only. The jail administration regularly provides fruits to those fasting. Notorious inmates turn devotional during Navratri Sahu added that many notorious prisoners are locked in jail, but during Navratri, they observe fasting and worship the Mother Goddess, seeking forgiveness for their sins. Many hope that this devotion will help them reform and return to mainstream society.