LONDON, ENGLAND, October 15, 2005: It was as if time stood still. Mirror-worked ghaghras in bright shades of orange, blue and purple twirled in the air as young girls danced to the tune of Mehndi Tevavi, the traditional Gujarati garbha number. Bandhni prints, rich embroidery work with Indian motifs, huge posters of Indian Gods and Goddesses, strong smell of incense and camphor and colorful ethnic decorations. This could well be a scene from the Navaratri celebrations in Mumbai. But here in the heart of London were Indian students, miles away from their country, trying to recreate the atmosphere and mood of Navaratri. Hindu students of six different universities in London along with Shakti Marg Hindu Network organized the event at Conway Hall to celebrate Navaratri with Garbha and Dandiya-raas. Dressed in their best ethnic wear, the students braved the cold evening chill on Thursday to continue a tradition. The music band played Hindi and Gujarati numbers as the sticks clacked and the youngsters formed huge circles to match their steps to the beats.
Swamini Geetha Atmaprakasananda from the Arsha Vaidya Gurukulam in Coimbatore started the celebrations by lighting the lamp and reciting a hymn. The youngsters watched in awe and silence as the swamini performed the puja. “Here are a set of very dedicated youngsters who want to learn more about Indian Hindu culture and are not ashamed of it,” she told Deccan Herald. Raju Patel, 23, dressed in an embroidered kurta pyjama, with a heavy British accent said: “I grew up in an environment where I went to the temple on Diwali and other festivals. I attended religious classes too. I like such gatherings and festivities.”