Navratri celebrates in Hyderabad Pakistan
HYDERABAD, PAKISTAN: The Hindu community in Hyderabad is celebrating their religious festival, Navratri, reports state run news agency APP.
Hindu community began their Navratri celebrations on Thursday evening after breaking their first of the nine 24-hour fasts. There were soothing bhajans playing in the Grupat Mandir, Shiv Mandir and Kali Mata Mandir neighborhood as people were busy in pooja inside their homes. The ground behind the temple was decorated. A man selling rose and jasmine garlands was happy to report that he was going to sell all his garlands. Members of the Hindu community of Hyderabad lit up oil lamps outside temples, their homes and shops after which pooja ceremonies were held at the temples. The children said they weren’t fasting but helping their parents in decorating the temple. Bhajans were sung and prayers were made for the integrity, security and prosperity of Pakistan and the Hindu community. Langar (free meal) was also distributed among people at the temple.
It may be mentioned that Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga.
According to Wikipedia, the the word Navaratri means ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Devi are worshipped. The tenth day is commonly referred to as Vijayadashami or “Dussehra” (also spelled Dasera). Navaratri is an important major festival and is celebrated all over India and Nepal. Diwali the festival of lights is celebrated twenty days after Dasera. Though there are total five types of Navaratri that come in a year, but Sharad Navaratri is the most popular one. Hence, the term Navaratri is being used for Sharada Navaratri here.
There is a large population of Hindus in Sindh province of Pakistan where they are free to follow their religion and celebrate their religious rituals.
