PICTURES: Navaratri festival

The Hindu community in Chichester and the surrounding areas celebrated at an auspicious Navaratri festival.
The Hindu community celebrated the triumph of good over evil at a Navaratri festival in DonningtonThe Hindu community celebrated the triumph of good over evil at a Navaratri festival in Donnington
The Hindu community celebrated the triumph of good over evil at a Navaratri festival in Donnington

Organised by Chichester Vedic Cultural Society, the festival was held at Donnington Parish Hall last Sunday.

Navaratri is a popular Indian festival which signifies the win of good spirit over evils.

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Navaratri means nine nights. During these nine days, and night, Hindus worship Goddess Durga, who is the Goddess of power and energy.

Navaratri is a popular Indian festival which signifies the win of good spirit over evilsNavaratri is a popular Indian festival which signifies the win of good spirit over evils
Navaratri is a popular Indian festival which signifies the win of good spirit over evils

The festival started with chanting of mantras. Devotees circled around the deity and offered their prayers.

Volunteers from the society, including co-organisers Mr Singh and Deb Chakraborty, explained the need for communal harmony and cultural integration.

Chichester mayor Peter Evans gave a short speech, showing appreciation for the lively cultural celebration, and later presented certificates and gifts to the performers.

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James Cooper, priest-in-charge at Donnington, said it was important to ‘be good’ and ‘do good’ and pointed out the same slogan written in the organisers’ banner.

Chichester mayor Peter Evans presents certificates and gifts to the childrenChichester mayor Peter Evans presents certificates and gifts to the children
Chichester mayor Peter Evans presents certificates and gifts to the children

Mr Singh said: “The festive mood of the event was ignited by the mesmerising performance of little children displaying Indian classical dance of Bharat Natyam.

“That was followed by dance performed by the elder members’ of Ms Vidya Thirunarayan’s dance school. Eminent Indian classical and Bollywood singer Mr Rahi Bain performed bhajanas, a kind of Indian classical song.”

The children were kept occupied with face painting stalls and henna decoration and the festival ended with mouth-watering food served by volunteers.