Exclusive - Shirin Sewani shares her fondest Ashtami memories from childhood; says 'Counting those Rs 10 notes felt like victory'

Actress Shirin Sewani fondly remembers the joyful traditions and simple pleasures that made Ashtami one of the most exciting times of her childhood. Talking about the festival, she shares, “I’ve been following Ashtami rituals since I was a child, and the memories are still so fresh and special. The biggest one has to be my mom dressing me up beautifully for the occasion. I would wear something traditional, and we would go around the neighborhood visiting homes that were doing Kanjak.”

For Shirin, the food and love she received from neighbours brought immense joy. “We would be treated with the usual festive favourites—chana, puri, and halwa. But the most exciting part as kids was the little money we’d receive—Rs 10 from each house! It felt like a huge thing back then. Once we’d finished making the rounds, we would come back home and excitedly count the money. If we managed to collect ₹100 after visiting several places, it felt like a massive victory. That thrill and innocence made Ashtami so special.”

Apart from these sweet experiences, Shirin also shared a unique family tradition that her father started and continues to this day. “There’s a very small but thoughtful ritual my dad began—on Ashtami, we make chowmin at home without onion and garlic. The idea was to serve something different and exciting for the kids who might get bored of the regular halwa puri. It was such a fun twist and became a tradition in our house,” she says with a smile.

These little rituals, moments of bonding, and festive excitement have stayed with her over the years. “Those days were full of love, laughter, and simplicity. It wasn’t about grand celebrations, but about the feeling of togetherness and joy. That’s what I cherish the most,” Shirin adds.

Ashtami for Shirin isn’t just a festival—it’s a bundle of emotions and memories she holds close to her heart.

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