Cover image: Garba dancers in Perth. Credit – Payal Desai

Each autumn, Indian cities transform into stages for Navarathri, nine vibrant days honoring the Divine Feminine in all her power and grace.

‘Nava’ meaning nine and ‘Rathiri’ meaning nights translates to ‘Nine Nights’—a celebration of the Mother goddess representing creativity, nurturing, and protective strength. Celebrated post the harvest season in Autumn, this year the festival falls between September 22nd and October 2nd, 2025.

At its mythological core, Navarathri commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura, a formidable demon who terrorised the earth, secure in his divine boon that no man could defeat him. He hadn’t counted on feminine power. Created from the combined strength of multiple gods and riding a lion, Durga waged war for nine days before claiming victory on the tenth—Vijaya Dashami, the day of triumph. 

Each region of India brings its own unique expression to this celebration. In Gujarat, Navarathri is a spectacular nine-night celebration of dance and music called the Garba. This is a celebration where dancers whirl in concentric circles around a sacred flame or image of the Goddess, their costumes colourful and swirling. With events attracting hundreds, sometimes thousands of people, the traditional Dhol drum is now replaced by a live orchestra or DJ. This is a joyous celebration where anyone can participate regardless of age or dancing ability. Here in Perth, this tradition thrives, bringing communities together in celebration of their heritage.

In India’s eastern states, people welcome the goddess as their beloved daughter returning home. Celebrations begin on the sixth day when devotees welcome her into homes or specially constructed Pandals—temporary structures that become intricate works of art, decorated with handmade creations reflecting many different themes. They celebrate through several rituals and prayers, offering a specific variety of fruits, flowers and grains. On the last day, when she has to leave, women playfully smear Sindhoor or vermillion on each other and joyously bid goodbye to their beloved mother.

Moving south, celebrations honour three divine forms: Saraswathi (learning and wisdom), Lakshmi (wealth and prosperity), and Durga (protective mother), with days dedicated to each. Many households create ‘Golu’ (a.k.a Bommala Koluvu or Gombe Habba )—intricate arrangements of dolls that become a centrepiece for community visits with devotional songs and dance. In temples, evening performances of classical arts provide an avenue to watch these arts in the very spaces they were created for.

For diaspora communities like those in Perth, Navarathri becomes especially significant—a powerful way to maintain ancestral connections while creating new bonds in adopted homelands.

The festival offers something rare: a sustained celebration of feminine power in all its forms. The goddess is simultaneously fierce warrior and nurturing mother, she embodies the complexity of feminine strength that protects, nurtures, creates, and when necessary, wages war against evil.

Whether through Garba’s spinning joy, Pandals’ artistic splendor, or temple performances’ intimate devotion, Navarathri reminds us that the sacred and celebratory need not be separate—that divine connection happens through community, art, and dancing together under the stars.

What’s On in Perth

Open Air Live Garba and Mela 2025
September 27th, 2025, 6:00pm onwards
Supreme Court Gardens, Perth City
Tickets available online

Navrang Garba 2025
September 26th-27th & October 3rd-4th, 2025, 7:00pm-11:30pm
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Event details

Swan Community Garba Night 2025
October 4th, 2025, 6:00pm onwards
Swan Active Beechboro
Book tickets

Durga Puja 2025
September 26th-28th, 2025, all day event
Vasto Club, Balcatta
Event information

Perth Balamurugan Temple – Navarathri Cultural Event
September 22nd-30th, 2025, 7:30-9:00pm
12 Mandogalup Road, Mandogalup
Details

Perth Hindu Temple – Navarathri Cultural Event
September 22nd-28th, 2025, 7:30-9:00pm
271 Warton Road, Perth
More information