These pictures were taken at the Oklahoma City Hindu temple during the October Navaratri festival. Navaratri is a celebration that goes on for nine days. It celebrates the Goddess Durga. The festival honors the Hindu Goddess Durga and her defeat of an evil demon named Mahishasura. Each day people celebrate a different form of the goddess Durga. Durga is the goddess of protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and war.
The photos below are of a dancer(Renita Fernades) performing a classical Indian dance called Bharatanatyam. The piece is Amba Stuthi-slokha from Lalitha Sahasranamam and Rajarajeshwari Ashtakam. The dance moves describe the various attributes of the goddess.
Artist Renita Fernades performs Bharatanatyam at an event held by the Hindu Temple of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma City. (NingEn Tay/ENN)
Bharatnatyam dancer strikes a pose. (NingEn Tay/ENN)
The right hand shows blessing and left showering boon. (NingEn Tay/ENN)
The dancer addressing the devi/goddess. (NingEn Tay/ENN)
Renita Fernades, Oct 11 2022 (NingEn Tay/ENN)