Celebrations for a nine-day Hindu festival of dancing got underway across Manchester, as Navratri, which runs until October 20th, celebrating Durga, the mother goddess who carries weapons in her arms.
Marking her nine-day battle with evil demon Mahishasura, as one of the most important celebrations in the Hindu calendar, communities across England’s North West celebrate with dancing, gift-giving, light, and food, with Oldham hosting free events throughout the period. Bharat Kumar Sisodia from the Indian Association in the town said it was the "major festival of the year."
Goddess Durga, "became nine different forms, and each day represents her different powers," he said.
The festival ends with what's known as Dussehra, which is the celebration of good over evil, as Durga defeats Mahishasura, meaning that "peace across the world was restored," he said.
"In all festivals we have lights, sweets, gifts, prayers and singing, but this particular festival is nine days of dancing." The form of dancing, includes Garba, which sees participants move in circles around an idol of the goddess Durga, as well as Raas Dandiya, in which dancers use a pair of decorated wooden sticks, striking them with a partner.
He said that during the dancing, "you feel that you are all connected with the divinity, and everyone else."
"It is a nice social gathering, where the community just gets together," he continued. The Indian Association in Oldham is holding daily free celebrations between 19:00 and 23:00 BST at Shree Radha Krishna Mandir.
