Navratri festivities: temples glow with colours, prayers

Nine-day Hindu festival to conclude today, with devotees praying for peace and prosperity

KARACHI:

Prayers rise from temples, offerings of prasad are made to the goddess, and the rhythmic beats of Garba and Dandiya fill the air as the city's Hindu community celebrates Navratri with religious fervour and festive enthusiasm.

Across the metropolis, temples have become gathering points for devotees observing the nine-day festival, with families coming together to worship "Mata Durga", perform religious rituals and seek blessings for their loved ones. Amid the celebrations, special prayers are also being offered for Pakistan's peace, security and prosperity.

From traditional worship services to colourful cultural performances, Navratri is bringing together members of the Hindu community in a celebration that blends faith, tradition and fellowship.

According to Hindu beliefs, Navratri is one of the religion's major festivals and is celebrated twice a year. The festival honours the nine forms of Goddess Durga, who is revered as the embodiment of divine power and the triumph of good over evil.

Religious traditions hold that Goddess Durga manifested herself to defeat Mahishasura and other demons. The combined powers of various deities took the forms of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati to vanquish the forces of evil.

Maharaj Ram Nath said devotees observe nine days and nights of worship and religious rituals, with many observing fasts during the festival. Special prayers are held on the eighth day, known as Ashtami, and the ninth day, while the celebrations culminate in Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, on the tenth day.

This year, Navratri will conclude on October 20.