The celebration of Navratri is the celebration of the Goddesses and one cannot please the Goddesses if they cannot please their own mother.
This is the message from the President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Sarju Prasad as Hindus start their Navratri celebrations.
Hindu devotees worship and celebrate the nine forms of Goddess Durga, who destroyed the demon, Mahishasura.
They observe fast, pray and dress according to specific colours associated with each of the nine days.
Prasad says mothers gave birth to us and take care of us which is why it is important to respect our mothers first in order to please the Goddesses.
Prasad has welcomed the opening of temples and says it is the responsibility of every Fijian to carry their vaccination cards which will be checked at the temples.
He adds the officials at the temples must ensure that the 70% capacity is followed and people celebrating Navratri in the temples must follow all COVID-19 protocols.
He says children will be allowed in the temples as long as they are accompanied by parents and guardians who are fully vaccinated.
Prasad says they continue to find out how many people are getting vaccinated and at an estimated 95% members of the Sabha are fully vaccinated.
