As Navratri festivities are underway in India, a video of the vibrant festival being celebrated in Karachi, Pakistan, a country with a predominantly Muslim population, is grabbing eyeballs online.
The video, shared online by Pakistani influencer Dheeraj Mandhan, shows Karachi’s extraordinary intercultural harmony. It depicts a bustling street with vibrant lights and a beautiful picture of Goddess Durga, with women and kids performing traditional garba and dandiya dance. The video has quickly received over 1,45,000 views and many comments.
“Navratri Day 4 in Karachi, Pakistan. Imagine an area where a mandir, masjid, gurudwara, and church are all within walking distance. This location is often referred to as Mini India, but I like to call it our Pakistan,” reads the caption of the post.
Mandhan further wrote that it was the first time he had experienced “this magical, mesmerising, and the excitement of Navratri”. “Everyone was happy; everyone was smiling, dancing, and enjoying the excitement of festival,” he added.
Many netizens praised the beautiful display of intercultural harmony. One Instagram user wrote, “Feels so good to see them celebrating festivals like this.” Another user added, “Wow.. felt so good after seeing this. Keep spreading positivity and love by real content.” A third user commented, “Shubh Navratri to Pakistan’s Hindu community,” to which Mandhan replied with, “Happy navratri.”
For the first time, Durga Puja celebrations have made their way to New York City’s iconic Times Square, with videos of Indians marking the occasion there gaining widespread attention on social media. The vibrant Navratri festivities have added a unique cultural flair to one of the world’s most famous landmarks.