News Festival of Navratri Assembly 29.09.2025

This week’s Middle School Cultural Celebration Assembly was presented by Anushka, Year 11, who talked about the Hindu festival of Navratri which this year takes place from Monday 22 September to Thursday 2 October. Anushka provided Year 10 and 11 students with key background information about the festival which, although not as well known as Diwali, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, dedicated to Goddess Durga and spanning nine sacred nights of devotion, rituals, fasting, and vibrant traditions. It is celebrated throughout India but in particular in the states of Gujurat, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Anushka explained how the festival is celebrated at two times during the year, in the Spring and Autumn, and that although the celebrations and customs are different in different areas, the common theme remains the same all over: the triumph of good over evil.

It was particularly fascinating to hear how Anushka celebrates the festival with her family and friends who, over the weekend, had got together in huge halls and enjoyed wonderful food and dancing in honour of the Goddess Durga. Anushka’s audience asked some really interesting questions and then showed their appreciation for Anushka having put together such an engaging assembly.