'Navratri festival brings my life's best memories'

The Hindu festival Navratri brings nine nights of dance, food and prayer as the goddess Durga is honoured - but how does it feel to take part day after day?

In Birmingham, as in cities throughout the world, celebrations have been under way since last Thursday - you can read more about Navratri, its origins and traditions here.

When Saturday comes and marks the end of the festivities which have seen people of the Hindu faith come together to celebrate, Hardik Patel said he would be sad.

But the committee member at Birmingham Hindu Cultural Group, which has been hosting events, admitted it was also a bittersweet feeling. He had wanted, he said, to celebrate every day after work - because the festival, filled with happiness and friends, brought him the "best memories" of his life.

"Everybody just dances, not in rhythm but just whatever they like here," he said. "They just enjoy the music."

Among those taking part are Dhyana Mangukiya, who said she had learnt the Garba dance when she was young and "it's just in my brain".

She explained: "I love dancing in Navratri as when I dance I feel spiritually awake."

For others like Jiya Patel, the best part of Navratri was getting to wear lots of outfits and jewellery.

Monil Patel agreed, saying he enjoyed watching "everyone pull up in different clothes every day".

He said he loved seeing everyone's creativity, what they wore and how they did the dances because each day "everyone does a different style of dance".

"It's just enjoyable seeing everyone having fun as one big family here."

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