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Hindus gather to celebrate Navratri festival

Mother and daughter Parul Chauhan (left) and Bhavini Vithlani smiling wearing vibrant sarees as they celebrate the Hindu festival of Navratri
Hiran Patel wearing a blue outfit smiling as people dance as part of the Navratri festival
Parul Chauhan says she has been bringing her daughter Bhavini Vithlani to the Navratri festival since she "was little". Now grown up, 30-year-old Ms Vithlani says she loves how it brings everyone together and "the fun of dancing" and "enjoying the music".
Hiran Patel, a volunteer for the Manchester Navratri Association, says the festival gets "people of all ages dancing together as one big family" which is "really special"

Thousands of Hindus from Greater Manchester have come together to celebrate the festival of Navratri.

The Wythenshawe Forum in Manchester is among those hosting celebrations for the nine-day festival of colour, music and dancing in the region.

Navratri which started on 3 October, honours Durga, the Hindu goddess associated with protection, strength and motherhood.

Organiser Sunil Chauhan, from the Manchester Navratri Association, said the festival had gone from strength to strength since it started 30 years ago.

"It is good to see the community growing and still holding that tradition of our culture here in Manchester," he said.

Hindus celebrate the festival in honour of Durga, who is best known for killing an evil demon Mahishasura in a battle which lasted nine days and nights.

Each day is represented by a different colour which symbolises one of her distinct characteristics.

Navratri takes its name from nav which means nine and ratri which means nights.

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