Navratri celebrated at La Venue in Joburg south
Joburg south Hindu community gathered to celebrate the Navratri festival at La Venue.
The vibrant community of Joburg south hosted a spectacular 10-night Navratri festival at La Venue in Rietvlei, drawing devotees from across Gauteng.
The festivities concluded on October 12 with Dussehra (Vijayadashmi), commemorating the triumph of good over evil.
Amit Parbhucharan said: “Hindus worldwide observe the festival honouring the Goddess Mother in her nine forms (manifestations). South African Hindus are no different, partaking in this ritual and nightly prayer at temples and venues throughout the country.
“It is a tapestry of colour and a garba dance, which is an ancient Hindu folk dance performed in a circle symbolising a woman’s womb.”
The celebration featured traditional garba dances performed to lively music by the Baba Sohel Orchestra, an elegant opening dance by Sarvavidya Natyaalaya (SVN) a non-profit Bharatanatyam organisation and the symbolic burning of effigies of demon king Ravana in the outdoor arena.
A stunning exhibition of dance performances was presented to the community, including performances by Sitaare Dance Academy, Oriental Fire, KULTURE (KLTR), and Maza Academy of Dance.
@comaro.chronicle The vibrant community of Joburg south hosted a spectacular 10-night Navratri festival at La Venue in Rietvlei, drawing devotees from across Gauteng.
The grand finale featured a Maha Aarti, with 108 lamps lit in prayerful gratitude.
Internationally acclaimed local DJ RSHN entertained the crowd with a bolly dance party to close the night and conclude the ten nights of celebrations, which left many festivalgoers yearning for more and looking forward to celebrating again in 2025.
In addition, a vibrant GLORATRI Night on October 5 drew hundreds of youth. Festivalgoers wore neon attire, performing garba in the dark, fostering spiritual growth, socialising and joy.
Traditional Indian musicians, the Baba Sohel Orchestra, performed folk music each night.
The organisers, a dynamic volunteer group from Joburg south, expressed heartfelt thanks to the JYM sound and lighting team, the attendees, sponsors and donors, whose generosity made the event free for all.
The Navratri celebration precedes Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of light over darkness, observed globally on October 31.
