Celebrations begin for nine-day Hindu festival

Celebrations for a nine-day Hindu festival of dancing are set to get underway across Manchester.

Navratri, which runs until 20 October, celebrates Durga, the mother goddess who carries weapons in her arms, and marks her nine-day battle with evil demon Mahishasura.

One of the most important celebrations in the Hindu calendar, communities across the North West will celebrate with dancing, gift-giving, light, and food, including in Oldham which is hosting free events throughout the period.

Bharat Kumar Sisodia from the Indian Association in Oldham 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 until Tuesday at Shree Radha Krishna Mandir in Schofield Street.

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