- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 28 Sep 2025 08:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan Navratri celebrations: Navratri celebrations in Pakistan have gone viral on social media with videos of people performing traditional Garba and Dandiya dances with enthusiasm. The glimpses of the Hindu festival being celebrated on the other side of the border, though rare, have touched hearts of Indians and others by bringing Pakistan's cultural diversity to the limelight.
Among the viral videos, one of the videos posted by Preetam Devria, a Hindu Pakistani, is an organised Navratri party where members dressed in the traditional outfit danced to devotional songs. Another video uploaded by Dheeraj from Karachi is also a similar celebratory atmosphere, with young women and men taking part in Garba and Dandiya.
The colourful videos soon went viral on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), garnering thousands of responses. Users were amazed at witnessing Navratri being celebrated in a country that is largely Muslim.
Social Media Responses
Responses to the videos were laced with warmth. A number of Indian users sent warm wishes for "Happy Navratri" to Pakistani Hindus, while others appreciated the festivities as an indicator of cultural harmony.
View this post on Instagram
One asked Devria if there were vegetarian and Jain communities in Pakistan, to which he replied that there were. Another person commented, "It is good to see people practicing their traditions freely in Pakistan. Diversity should always be celebrated." Several dropped heart emojis and festive wishes in the comments. A few also expressed their amazement at the magnitude of the celebrations.
Navratri Beyond Borders
Navratri, a major festival in Hinduism, is celebrated in the name of the worship of Goddess Durga in her nine forms, who are referred to as Navadurga in aggregate. The nine-day festival that commenced on September 22 this year will end on Vijayadashami or Dussehra on October 2.
View this post on Instagram
Every day of Navratri is devoted to one of the Goddess Durga's forms, ranging from calm Maa Shailputri to the horrific Maa Kaalratri. Worshipers go on fasts, conduct rituals, and participate in cultural activities such as Garba and Dandiya, which are particularly strong in Gujarat and Maharashtra but take place around the world. In the last few years, Navratri has gained popularity beyond India too, with Indian expats in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia hosting large festivals. The viral clips from Pakistan now form a new chapter in these festivities.
Hindu population in Pakistan, even though a minority, does not shy away from celebrating their festivals. Fests like Navratri, Diwali, and Holi are celebrated with fervor through communal meetups, temple worship, and cultural events. The viral clips of Garba and Dandiya have once again drawn attention to the presence of Hindus in Karachi and Sindh, where a majority of Pakistan’s Hindu population resides.
The celebratory mood in the videos has generated a ripple of cheer and benevolence on the internet. For some, the view of Pakistan's Hindus celebrating Navratri freely is a nod to common traditions and cultural ties that cut across political loyalties. As the nine-day celebration unfolds, the videos keep making the rounds, spreading the message of festivity, strength, and togetherness.