In Pictures: Hindu temple's Navratri celebrations held at the Cresset in Peterborough

An ‘extravaganza’ to celebrate an annual Hindu festival has helped to bring people of all backgrounds together in Peterborough

Hundreds visited the Cresset each night during the nine-night Navratri celebration, organised by the city’s Bharat Hindu Samaj Mandir temple.

Navratri is an annual Hindu festival that honors the epic battle between the buffalo demon Mahishasura and the Goddess Durga. Each day of the nine day-long Navratri festival is dedicated to a different form of Goddess Durga, representing her victory over Mahishasura, and the broader theme of good triumphing over evil.

During the festival, the Cresset was filled with colourful stalls, energetic dancing, music, decorations, various sweet offerings, competitions and prayers.

The heart of the Navratri festivities is the energetic dance form known as ‘Garba’, which involves intricate footwork, twirls, and rhythmic claps, creating a joyous atmosphere. Another popular dance is the Dandiya, which involves participants dancing with a pair of wooden sticks (known as "dandiyas") in each hand, which are used to strike the sticks of their dance partner or others in the group in rhythm with the music.

Swapnil Gadkari, Bharat Hindu Samaj trustee said: “The vibrant festival of Navratri, celebrated with immense fervour and devotion, has brought together people of all backgrounds in Peterborough, transcending regional and cultural boundaries.

"This nine-night extravaganza dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga – a reincarnation of ‘Adi Shakti’, where each night represents one of her nine manifestations, takes on unique customs and traditions in different regions, each offering a deeper connection to the divine.

"The Garba and Dandiya celebrations have gained immense popularity, attracting large numbers from various communities and was enjoyed by all on the beats of Live music, sung and instruments played by local Artists from Peterborough.

“The joyous Garba celebration in Peterborough serves as a testament to the multicultural spirit of the city, uniting people through the universal language of dance and shared festivities.”