The world celebrates the Navratri with great fervour

Madhu Chourasiaya

Washington: Navratri, a festival of celebration, fasting, colours, dance, joy and happiness. The festival that is not only celebrated by the Bengali community, but the whole country, with great fervour has now become widely popular overseas.

With the start of Durga Puja, not only the country but the world gets coloured with the happiness and purity of Navratri.

While the Hindu community is busy preparing for the worship of Goddess Durga,newstrack.com brings you an exclusive report from United States of America and United Kingdom by our correspondent, Madhu Chaurasi, showing the excitement and enthusiasm of the people during the celebrations.

Navratri means an occasion to dance:

• For people in these countries Navratri brings a reason to dance. The popular Gujrati dance Garba and Dandiyaa is done by each Indian living in the foreign land.
• The Bengali association also distributes ‘Prasads’on Saptami, Ashtami and Navmi (Seventh, Eighth and Ninth day of Navratri).
• Many functions in Chicago and London are also graced by the events and perform,ances by the celebrated personalities of the world.

Temples decorated, cultural events organised:

• The Indians living outside their country decorate temples and organise many traditional and cultural events.
• Popular functions during this festival include Dandiya and Garba nights.
• Apart from enjoyment people are very particular about the religious ways to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
• The event starts with the ‘Murti Sthapana’ (installation of the statue of Goddess Durga) followed by the chanting of different ‘Sholkas’and prayers.

Sindoor Khela and Singar:

• A famous ‘Sindoor Khela’ is also organised during the celebrations. It is a way of celebrating the happiness with red colour powder which is considered very auspicious in Indian culture and is worn by the brides after marriage.
• Decorating the statue of Goddess Durga is also a ritual for the Indian community living there. The goddess of power, knowledge, peace and wealth is decorated in tradition style which is known as ‘Sringar’.

The aura of festivity created by the Durga Puja continues till Diwali when the whole temple and houses of Indians living there are decorated with Diyas.