Celebrating Navratri at Diverse Little Colours

Celebrating Navratri: More Than Nine Nights of Dance, A Festival of Community & Kindness

The air is filled with the rhythm of the dandiya, the vibrant colours of chaniya cholis and dupattas swirl, and the glow of diyas lights up the night. Navratri was amazing, a nine-night festival celebrated with immense joy and devotion across India and the world.

At its heart, Navratri is a triumphant celebration of good over evil, honouring the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga. It’s a time when families and communities come together, sharing lavish meals, dancing, and reveling in a profound sense of togetherness.

For our charity, this festival resonates deeply with our core mission: to bring people of all ages and abilities together through joyful movement.

The Universal Joy of Movement: Our Navratri Celebration

This year, we witnessed the magic of Navratri firsthand. In school halls, community centres, and various other spaces, we joined in the celebrations. The energy was electric! We saw a beautiful tapestry of our community come alive—from tiny feet trying to keep up with the Garba steps to seniors tapping their feet to the beat from their chairs.

We ran special Navratri-inspired dance exercise sessions that were a beautiful mix of colour, music, and laughter. It wasn't about perfect steps; it was about the shared experience, the joy of moving together, and the incredible community spirit that blossomed. The event was a living, breathing example of how joyful movement, much like the folk dances of India, can directly tackle loneliness and light up everyone's mental wellbeing.

The True Victory: Multiplying Goodness Through Kindness

The victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura is symbolic of light prevailing over darkness. Navratri teaches us that we can all be part of this victory by choosing goodness in our own lives.

A beautiful tradition during this time is the act of daan, or charitable giving. It’s a way to express gratitude for our own health and wealth by sharing with those who are less privileged. As the festival reminds us, when we are healthy and nourished, we can focus on building better lives—children can continue their education, and adults can work more efficiently.

This Navratri, our team, volunteers, and the wider community embraced this spirit wholeheartedly. We came together to share and give, understanding that donating food, clothes, or other essentials is one of the best ways to multiply the divinity of these nine nights.

Carrying the Navratri Spirit Forward

The festival may last for nine nights, but the spirit of community, joy, and kindness it ignites doesn't have to end. The sense of connection and shared happiness we felt is the very essence of what we strive to create every single day.

We are committed to carrying this beautiful energy forward throughout the year. Through our cultural dance workshops for kids, our lively chair-based classes for seniors, and every joyful movement in between, we will continue to build an inclusive community where everyone belongs.

With Navratri, let's all pledge to keep the dance of kindness going, to keep the light of community shining bright, and to continue celebrating the ultimate victory—the victory of togetherness over isolation.

Wishing everyone with joy, light, and the triumph of good!