Muslims celebrate 'Navratri' festival with fervour in Mumbai

Mumbai, Sept 20 (ANI): Setting an example of communal amity, Muslims here celebrated the festival of 'Navratri' with gusto.

Mohammed Tahir and his wife Zubeida, the main organisers, have been celebrating the festival since 1980.

Tahir said that his wife had dreamt of the Goddess and the couple has since been setting up a makeshift temple every year dedicated to Goddess Durga.

"Every year, the temple has a different setting. We have made replica of the Balaji, Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, Kedarnath and Badrinath," said Tahir.

Zubeida said the temple was for everyone who believed that all religions taught different paths to reach the same God.

"It is for everyone who believes in the unity of religions. We all celebrate it together, be it Hindu or Muslim. In fact people from various religions and regions come here," said Zubeida.

In fact, people belonging to various religions and communities bear the cost of the event.Naaratri", which literally means nine nights, is observed twice a year.

The festival lasts for nine days in honour of nine manifestations of Durga, goddess of power, and fall in the months of April-May and September-October.

It is believed that during the Navratri, Goddess Durga descends on earth to rid it of the demons and blesses her devotees with happiness and prosperity. (ANI)