NAVRATRI

NAVRATRI

October 13-21, Vadodara, India

A nine-day event that honours the Hindu goddess Durga, Navratri is one of the most popular and important festivals in India, and is celebrated with great gusto especially in Gujarat and Mumbai. Each night is devoted to a different manifestation of Durga, the female embodiment of the divine godhead. Processions, dancing and temple offerings are common to each, all with the end goal of celebrating the divine within each of us and achieving a greater happiness in life. Expect candlelit processions, cooking, dancing, singing, water & sky lanterns, and even burning effigies of evil.

 

NATIONAL DAY RACE DAY

October 1, Hong Kong

The National Day Race on October 1 has long been one of the highlights of Hong Kong's horse racing calendar. Every year, the Hong Kong Jockey Club presents various spectacular cultural performances at Sha Tin racecourse to commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic of China, attracting thousands of racing fans and visitors.

 

NUIT BLANCHE

October 3, Paris, France

Held on the first Saturday night in October, museums, monuments, cinemas and parks in Paris stay open all night as thousands of revellers mark the Nuit Blanche, a celebration of contemporary art that runs from 7pm until dawn. It is the perfect opportunity to discover artistic talents from France and abroad, free of charge. The streets and monuments are all lit up, giving even the most famous places in the French capital an air of mystery and fascination. Installations and special exhibitions by French and international artists will be dotted all around the capital and the surrounding region. A magical night not to be missed! 

 

COLUMBUS DAY PARADE

October 12, New York City, USA

Fifth Avenue will be transformed during the Columbus Day Parade, the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture. The parade honours the spirit of exploration and courage that inspired Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expedition and the important contributions Italian-Americans have made to the United States. More than a dozen high school bands, as well as virtuosi professional groups from the US and Italy, will make the march up Fifth Avenue and fill the canyons of midtown with joyous, heart-pounding music. Great costumes, plenty of food and lots of live music make this event one of New York's most joyous festivals. 

 

DAY OF GERMAN UNITY

October 3, Berlin, Germany

Germany was officially reunified on October 3, 1990. Now the date is treated as a public holiday and Berlin throws a huge party to celebrate the Day of German Unity. Free live entertainment and dancing are open to everybody at the Brandenburg Gate. Don’t miss a chance to taste tons of foods, snacks and drinks around the area. This celebration is not only to show the unity of the Germans, who were separated for more than 40 years by the Berlin Wall, but also to symbolise that the breaching of the Wall is the beginning of the end of East European Communism. Find out more at www.VisitBerlin.de.

 

THIMITHI

October, Singapore

Hindu communities in Singapore will celebrate Thimithi – a fire-walking rite at the Hindu Shrine – in late October. A tradition in Southern India’s communities, devotees walk over scorching hot coals as proof of faith to the goddess Draupadi and to show gratitude for the fulfilment of personal prayers. It is believed that a strong devotion will overcome the danger of getting burnt.