For this month’s issue, I thought I could share some brief facts about Navratri, one of the major Indian festivals celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Every year, more than a thousand people of all ages join in the celebrations usually held over two weekends at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA. The festivities usually begin after 8 p.m. and continue until after midnight with dances and singing dedicated to goddess Durga. The program would end with everyone having Prasad together, which is food offered to deities during worship or Puja.

Navratri is an annual festival celebrated during the beginning of winter, the dates of which vary each year. The word Navratri is derived from two Sanskrit words - “nava” meaning nine and “ratri” meaning night. It is a festival of women’s empowerment associated with the battle, and the triumph, of the goddess Durga over a demon, named Mahishasura. Each day is associated with an incarnation of the goddess to celebrate the victory of good over evil. During Navratri, devotees fast and worship all 9 incarnations of goddess Durga. It is celebrated differently in various parts of India. Recently, the Durga Puja in Kolkata, India was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Here, the pictures show two dance forms both originating in the state of Gujarat in India. Garba, where dancers move around in circles; and Dandiya, where dancers strike colorful and decorative sticks against each other. These photos are from Navratri-2022. Even though it is interesting to know why we perform these symbolic dance forms during Navratri, the true importance lies in the warmth and togetherness we feel when we gather around our family and friends; a time filled with joy, love, gratitude, and devotion.

I encourage everyone to at least go once and experience the colors and gorgeous costumes and get a chance to reconnect with one’s playful side! Many people just go and watch others perform during Navratri. You don’t have to travel too far to get a taste of India’s rich culture right here in Roanoke! This year, Navratri-2023 will be celebrated on Friday 10/20, Saturday 10/21, Friday 10/27 and Saturday 10/28 at the Berglund Center (Roanoke Civic Center). Come join us for a fun experience!

Looking forward: Diwali (Festival of Lights) is a major Hindu festival that falls on November 12th this year. If there is enough interest and positive feedback from our readers, I would be happy to write about Diwali for our future issue. May the light of knowledge remove the darkness of ignorance in today’s time….