KARACHI, PAKISTAN, September 25, 2008: The Hindus of the city have launched preparations to celebrate the religious festival of Navratri, the first of a series of festivals ahead of Diwali, which will be celebrated on October 28. Navratri will begin on September 28, in which Saraswati and Durga will be worshipped, while a third goddess, Lakshmi, will be worshipped on Diwali according to the local tradition
These nine nights of Navratri are the most sacred nights. A large number of people do special worship ceremonies to make Shakti happy, said a young devotee named Shakantala. She had come to purchase some brass lamps and other Pooja items for the festivals at a small temple in Gulshan-e-Iqbal town. As the celebrations draw closer, these shops will also start selling betel leaves, betel nuts, coconuts, roses, jasmine, lotus and other flowers held as an important part of the Pooja.
Most Hindus across the globe celebrate in their own way. Some festivals are celebrated by all Hindus in Pakistan and India, but depending on cultural background, how they celebrate can vary, said Lakhraj Gul, a social worker. Most of the festivals are culturally based, he explained.