Jai Mata Di.

What a nice gesture.. Thanks Dawn... A suggestion, please include a few of Dandiya and Garba pics next year too, for these danceforms are an integral part of Navratri :)

good one.

Something is seriously wrong with this preoccupation of Dawn with these Hindu celebrations and their depiction on this media. Is there nothing else worthwhile going on in the world to put up.

@MOHAMMAD AMIR: thanks amir for liking this. pakistan needs tolerant people like u. thanks once again

Please remove these pictures of idols from our Islamic republic newspaper and please refrain from posting these in future. Thank You.

What is the history behind this festival?

We should not be promoting idol worshipping and It has nothing to do with tolerance.....

Shows how pagan the Hindu religion is. Why do we need to display these images?

Great one Dawn---------The newspaper lives to its secular credentials...I don't know whether any other newspaper in South Asia has the same credentials

this shows maturity of DAWN.

Why does God reveal Himself to Hindus, albeit as a multi-limbed Godess, but hides Himself fro us Pakistani Muslims? Is it another message? ;)

Very nice pictures; thank you for posting these. For some of the posters here, please keep things within perspective. This is how one-sixth of the people of this world do things, whether you like it or not. Your co-religionists have tried 9/11, and so much more, without changing the views of the "others" (of any religion, nationality, whatever) by as much as an iota. This is how things will continue in this world, and really it is a good idea that you cease being outraged by it.

Pakistanis You expect tolerance from Hindus in India. Same thing is expected from you also. Be tolerant, Be loving. Kamal India

@Sikander Abbas: The Devas(angels) and Asuras(demons) often wage wars against each other. In one such war, Rambha(a demon) was killed by Indra.As Mahishasura(Rambha's son) grew up, he came to know how his father died. He collected a band of loyal soldiers and started terrorising Heaven. He invaded heaven, defeating Indra, and drove all the Devas out of heaven. Thus his revenge was complete.The Devas formed a conclave to decide how to defeat this invincible asura. Since he was invincible to all men, they created his nemesis in the form of a young woman, Durga .She combined the powers of all the devas in a beautiful form. After that, she marched against the demons on her mount, the Lion.Mahishasura, upon hearing about her, sent his army to defeat and capture her. Durga killed all of the demons and challenges Mahishasura to a one-to-one fight. After nine days of fierce fighting, Durga finally manages to kill the powerful Mahishasura on the tenth day of the waxing moon. Therefore, those 10 days are celebrated by hindus as Durga-Puja.

@Akil Akhtar: What about hindus in pakistan? Wouldn't they like to see their festivals being recognized this way? If yes, shouldn't you be happy to see that this news paper is doing a good job of giving them a some representation?

@Omar Mukhtar: why is islam inherently hateful, towards one and all ? idols are symbolic in nature & it depicts a rich and colorful culture.

@Omar Mukhtar: Shows how ignorant you are. Why do you need to display your ignorance?

hates off to Dawn , for true secularism very rare in pakistani journalism

@Reality : something indded seriously wrong in you..with your talibani mindset.. its visible...

Congrats to the Hindu community. I'd also like to congratulate Dawn on their secular approach towards editing. This news paper was founded by Mr. Jinnah, the founder of the nation. He wanted people of all faiths to live side by side in peace and harmony. Too bad he died early on and left the country at the mercy of parasites.

@Sikander Abbas: This festival is celebrated for victory of Maa Durga(Amba) over demon king mahisaura navratri as the name suggest is a festival of nine days in our part that is Gujarat Garba the folk dance of the state is famous during this and West-Bengal is famous for Durga Pooja similarly in North the tenth day Dushera is celebrated for victory of Rama over Ravana where his effigy are burnt I hope next time team of Dawn include some of the photos of Garba and Durga Pooja you will be pleasantly surprised to see the aesthetic beauty of both the festivities during Navratra.

@Sikander Abbas: Dear Sikander, Navratri literally means nine nights and this festival is celebrated to celebrate the female energy that balances this world. Each day of navratri is dedicated to one of the many forms that a woman has within herself. Be it that of a small girl, mother, lover, fierce protector, everything. This festival is about celebrating womanhood :) To the haters in this thread, learn to appreciate the diversity that this world has to offer. Come out of your cocoon of "religion" to experience the vastness of "faith". Yes, Hinduism is a paganistic religion, and we are damn proud of it that it has survived centuries of invasion and what not to remain what it is. Happy Navratri to you too. Ma aap sabko sad-buddhi dey :)