The festival of Navratri falls during the Hindu month of Aashwin, and is devoted to the worship of Shakti or Divine Mother. The nine nights are dedicated to the three Goddesses - Durga (Goddess of valour), Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth), and Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge), who symbolise the trinity of God through a female representation.

Days 1-3
The first three nights are dedicated to the goddess of action and energy. Her different manifestations Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood. Firstly, the young child, followed by mother/wife and finally as a mature woman.

Days 4-6
Lakshmi is worshipped during the following three days as the Goddesses of peace and bliss. The essence of the worship is that fulfilment is more important than wealth itself. As the goddess of wealth she also governs basic things such as family, friends, food etc. On the fifth day (Lalita Panchami), it is traditional, to gather all books, light a lamp and invoke Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge and art).

Days 7-9
Saraswati is worshipped during the final three days. She is the goddess of spiritual knowledge, which frees us from the bind of Samsara.

In West Bengal, Navratri is celebrated as 'Durga Puja', which is the most important festival in that part of India. Idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped for nine days in beautifully decorated 'pandaals'. On the tenth day, the 'Visarjan' or immersion of idols in seawaters is performed.

Navratri is celebrated in Gujarat by the performance of Garba and Dandiya-Raas. This is Gujarat's popular folkdance, with people participating in traditional dancing late into the night during the nine days. Women wear brightly coloured Chania choli and the men wear Dhoti-Kurta. The participants move around in a circle around a mandvi (a structure to hold earthen lamps filled with water and to house the image or idol of mother goddess) singing 'Garba's' or traditional songs.

A slow dance to begin with, the speed picks up along with the tempo of the music to a rapid pace until the dance comes to a halt. 'Dandia-Ras' is played with wooden sticks or 'dandiyas'. Dancing to the rythm of traditional and religious music, men and women strike the dandiyas together in an uniformed manner, adding to the joyous and festive atmosphere.

Garbas are also performed in other states and cities like Mumbai. In Southern India, houses are decorated with displays of dolls, toys and images of the gods. In various parts of India, the 'Ram-Leela' is performed. Ram Leela is a stage enaction of the Ramayana, the story of Lord Rama. The day after Navratri i.e. the tenth day, is observed as 'Dussera' or 'Vijaya Dashmi'. It marks the victory of good over evil, for example when Rama killed Ravana, and it's meaning when translated is 'Day of Victory'.

By educating Hindus as to the importance of Navratri, it is hoped that the joyous festival is celebrated in its true spirit all around the UK.

NAVRATRI VENUES 2003

BIRMINGHAM

Parkland Banqueting Suite
Parkland Road, Handsworth
Birmingham B18 5HE.
Daily from 8.00pm to 11.00pm
Organised by the Shree Lohana Association Birmingham. Tickets £12 per family (Lohana Association Members).

LEICESTER

Maher Centre
15 Ravensbridge Drive,
Leicester, LE4 0BZ,
Tel: +44 0116 242 5360
Daily from 7.00pm to 11.00pm
Tickets: Free for the Community

LONDON

Harrow Leisure Centre
Christchurch Avenue, Harrow
Middlesex HA3 5BD
Sunday-Thursday: 8.30pm to Midnight
Friday & Saturday: 8.30pm to 1.00am.
10-day Season Pass - £30pp. Daily Ticket - £5pp. Tickets from: Sangat Centre - Tel: 020 8863 2196

John Kelly Boys School
Crest Road, Neasden
London NW2 7SN
Daily from 7.30 pm to 11.00 pm
Organised by Wanza Samaj UK.

Barnhill Community High School
Yeading Lane, Hayes
Middlesex UB4 9LE
Daily from 7.00pm to 11.00pm
Organised by Karamsad Samaj.

White Hart Lane School
White Hart Lane, Wood Green
London N22 5QJ
Time 7.30 till 11.00 daily.
Full set Tickets: £15 for the all days.
Organised by Navnat Vanik Association.

LOUGHBOROUGH

Town Hall
Market Place, Loughborough
Leicestershire LE11 3EB
Times : 7.30 p.m. to 11.00p.m./midnight
Tickets : £1.75 per day or £13 for a 9 day pass. Tickets available from Shree Ram Krishna Centre (Tel. 01509 232410/218274) or at the door.

MANCHESTER

Jain Community Centre,
669 Stockport Rd, Longsight
Manchester M12 4QE
Daily from 7.00pm to 12.00pm.