Jai Mataji.

What is Navratri? (Nav = Nine / Ratri = Nights) 

Navratri is a nine day Hindu festival, dedicated solely to the worship of the Goddesses of the religion, the original Shakti (energy) and most importantly, a time to reflect on the importance, power and divinity prevalent within every female on the earth.

For the past few years, our family have had the honour and privilege of hosting this most important and symbolic nine day festival within our courtyard with friends, family and fellow devotees. Our doors are open everyday to everyone coming to pray, coming to celebrate, coming to eat, coming to talk and coming to connect. 

As with all Hindu festivals and traditions, a big part of this festival is to donate towards worthy causes. During this time, many chose to donate towards Temples, many send money to India and like ourselves, many invite young girls and women to their homes for dinner, gifting them with clothes and presents. This year, we would like to invite you to go one step further...

Our aim this year is to go beyond the boundaries of religion and culture, and put our proceeds towards a cause that will resonate with all women, everywhere. That's why this year, we've chosen to host our Navratri celebrations in support of the charity "Boot Out Breast Cancer".

"Boot Out" is a fantastic charity that aims to raise funds to provide hospitals and centres with important and vital medical equipment that will help doctors and nurses to diagnose and treat those affected by Breast Cancer. 

Nearly 48,000 women each year are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in just the UK alone, with Breast cancer accounting for nearly 1 in 3 of all cancers in women in the UK. The latest statistics suggest that 1 in 8 women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. 

Whilst we celebrate the Female Deities in heaven, and call out Them with our prayers and songs, let us also reach out to the Goddesses who walk upon the earth, as our Mothers, Sisters and Friends, and truly celebrate this festival of female power and divinity. 

During the festival, our daily prayers and ceremonies will be open to all and we encourage every attendee to donate, generously and whole heartedly to this year's cause. For anyone wishing to attend and for more information, please get in contact for further details.

This page has been set up to offer all our friends and family who aren't able to attend, a chance to take part in our celebrations through their thoughts, prayers and donations, thereby giving us all a chance to come together, as one community, for an important cause and for the celebration of the beautiful festival of Navratri. 

As always, we thank you for your passion, enthusiasm, love and support which encourages us to host and celebrate this auspicious festival with each and every one of you.

On behalf of the family,

Thank you and Jai Ambe.

Boot Out Breast Cancer Website: http://www.bootoutbreastcancer.org.uk

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