India, Oct. 11 -- Navratri is here and actor Harshita Gaur, recently seen in Mirzapur: The Movie, is ready to embrace the "nine days of power". For her, it is a time of deep connection to the deity and power. "The festival, for me, is the whole essence of Durga Maa and feminine energy," she says. For Gaur, the first day sets the festive mood with puja and the traditional colour code. "I get very excited about all these things. I always follow the festive colour code beginning from day one. The first day starts with the big puja and wearing the assigned colour for the day (orange)," she says. Speaking about the ritual of fasting during these nine days, Harshita shares, "I fast on the first and last day and other than that I feel incomplete if I don't observe the rituals throughout." Ashtami (the eighth day), however, remains closest to her heart. "Since childhood, I have always related to this day in particular," she says, recalling the traditional chole, puri and halwa offered during the celebrations. While fasting, she prefers sabudana khichdi and tikki, joking, "Muh mein paani aa jata hai." Growing up in a Bengali community in Delhi, her fondest Navratri memories are tied to neighbourhood celebrations and gatherings. "Those nine days were just full of fun, a lot of activities, competitions, and dancing in the evening; everybody used to look forward to my dance," she says. Her devotion also finds expression on screen through Vindhya Vasini, a song from her upcoming show Anarth. "It has been a delight and a blessing in disguise," says the trained Kathak dancer, who feels a special connection with the Goddess through the track. While puja remains her preference, Gaur is equally fond of Garba and Dandiya nights: "I have been part of them throughout my growing-up years and, whenever work allows, I love going for Garba nights with industry friends."...