Phoenix Hindus celebrate Navatri

A northwest Phoenix Hindu celebration that seeks blessings of a female diety will continue Friday and Saturday evening at Greenway High School.

Navratri, a festival of worship and dance, is observed in India over nine days. In Phoenix, traditional Hindus modify the schedule and celebrate it on two weekends at the end of September or the first of October.

Sanjay Shah, president of Gujarati Cultural Association of Arizona, said the 25-year-old Valley celebration attracts about 800 to 1,500 individuals.

"What we are hoping for is to get maximum participation for children and adults," Shah said. "We also try to renew brotherhood among the group. We also try to get our youth here to understand why we celebrate . . . so that they can retain a bit of what is left of the culture."

Greenway High School is at 3930 W. Greenway Road in Phoenix.

For information visit www.gcaaz.org.

Shubham Parmar (front), 2, Romer Parmar (back left), 8, and Shivam Parmer, 6, all of Peoria, celebrate the Hindu festival Navratri at Greenway High School in Phoenix.