Close to 1000 people are expected to pack the grounds of Bundoora’s Parade College next month in the name of Hindu goddess Durga.
The Northern Gujarati Association of Melbourne (NGAM) is hosting its annual Navratri festival on Saturday, October 8, bringing families together to dance and sing.
The association has been hosting the festival, which honours Durga, the goddess of power, since 2012.
Last year’s festival was attended by 850 people.
NGAM founder Nimesh Shah said the family-friendly event was one of the biggest Indian dance festivals in Melbourne.
He said that in India, millions of people donned colourful clothing to dance and sing in the streets during nine nights and 10 days in early October.
Mr Shah hopes NGAM’s event will help Indian-born Australians connect to their culture and history.
“There are so many people in the northern suburbs with Indian backgrounds so we felt it was important to host these events where they can locally celebrate.”
But Mr Shah says the festival is not just for Indian families.
“It’s a family event anyone can come to; it’s not just limited to Indian people. If you come one time, you will come every time; you will enjoy it that much,” he said.
Tickets are $12 and are available by calling 0412 227 353.
