Ragini Khanna's "different" take on religion

At a time when most TV actors are getting set to dance to the tune of garba…Ragini Khanna (Sasural Genda Phool fame) is quite disappointed at the rampant commercialization of this great festival to worship goddess Durga in her nine virat forms. “In the traditional sense a garba can be held when you have an idol of Ambe mata and you dance around it. Tell me which major garba mandal today follows these ethics? Also you should dance only to folk numbers; but here you have latest item numbers blasting out at deafening levels. This is the main reason that I avoid going to public navratri events until I am invited as a guest. If I wish to dance a bit, I go to private functions where I know the crowd will be controlled. What really turns me off is the fact the people beat you with sticks in attempt to create more elbow space on the dance floor. Also most people stink.” So what kind of costumes you wear during the festival? “I love the chaniya choli outfit and make up. Apparently people have lots of money these days to afford such extravagance for all the nine days. But I prefer to go in a simple salwar kameez.” Ragini last seen in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 5 as a host further says, “What really hurts me is the misuse of religion. If you just want to have a good time, why don’t you just go to a pub or a lounge like I do? Most people end up going for navrati events for other agendas which also have other consequences. This malaise is not limited to navrati alone and even Ganpati is not spared. I live close to the beach, so have to face ace the worst on the last of day of Visarjan every year. People get drunk to the core. Would bappa want such a farewell?” she ends.