Navratri (Nine Nights) festival is celebrated for nine (9) nights in the honor of the divine feminine before the tenth (10) day, which is the celebration of the victory of good over evil. (Dussehra) This festival is usually celebrated in the month of September/October.

The nine nights festival is divided into 3 sections of celebrations: Durga (Victory of good over evil); Lakshmi (prosperity); and Saraswati (bestows wisdom). Newark Ave (Indian street) of Jersey City was filled with joy, songs, dance, laughter, food, and beautiful colors. As one born in traditions and cultures, I was enlightened and reminded that “no matter where you are in this world, your cultural and traditional identity is one to be celebrated among your people and the rest of the world.”