The nine-day festival of Navratri that began on October 15 is being celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm. Garba and Puja Pandals are amongst the main highlights of the festival. Pandals feature elaborate adornments and distinctive themes, and witness thousands of footfalls everyday. US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti also visited some of the pandals in Delhi's Chitaranjan Park area.
The video of the US envoy to India visiting the pandals was shared on X, by news agency PTI with the caption, "US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti visits Durga Puja pandal at CR Park in Delhi."
In the clip, Garcetti accompanied by some people can be seen visiting pandals and doing a few traditional dance steps along with women participants, to the beats of dhak. He then watches children perform on stage and also clicks photos with them. From there he moves on to relish some traditional Indian dishes. A man can be seen explaining him about all the food items he tries.
Garcetti has been a fan of the Indian tradition and food. In the past, he has tried various delicacies at popular food joints.
The US Ambassador to India a few days back took travelled on the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro Rial Corporation (DMRC) and interacted with fellow passengers.
Navratri or Shardiya Navratri meaning "nine nights," is a significant festival celebrated with immense fervour and reverence across India. Each of these nine nights is dedicated to honouring one of the nine avatars of Goddess Shakti: Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmcharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri.
This year, Shardiya Navratri that commenced on October 15 will culminates on October 24, which is Dussehra.