Radha Krishna Temple in Allen opens its Navratri Mahotsav on Saturday, Oct. 10, with 11 nights of Garba, live music and sacred observances running through Oct. 20.

The Hindu festival honors the Divine Mother in nine forms over nine nights. This year's celebration at 1450 N. Watters Rd. brings professional singers and a band from India to the temple's air-conditioned indoor hall for nightly Garba and Dandiya, according to the temple's event page.

Swami Mukundananda, the temple's spiritual leader and founder of Jagadguru Kripalu Yog, described Navratri in a recent blog post as a gradual spiritual transformation, with each activity turning the mind toward devotion.

Kids Garba every night

Children ages 3–11 can join Kids Garba from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each night Oct. 10–19. Each child gets a slice of pizza, a chance at prizes for Best Outfit and Best Garba, and daily giveaways. A parent or guardian must be present and needs a separate ticket. Children under 3 get in free.

Regular Garba for all ages begins at 7:30 p.m. The temple advises arriving 15 minutes early.

Key observances

The festival's religious calendar includes several major events, according to the temple's Navratri blog post:

  • Sunday, Oct. 11: Ghat Sthapana ceremony, followed by Bhog and Aarti. A Navratri Special Satsang runs 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 15: Mata Ki Chowki
  • Sunday, Oct. 18: Durgashtami observances and Durgashtami Havan, plus a second Navratri satsang
  • Monday, Oct. 19: Siddhidatri Pooja and Dusshera with Ayudh Pooja
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20: Ravan Dahan closes the festival

A Bathukamma Celebration, a Telangana festival of flowers, takes place Sunday, Oct. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $11 per adult and $5 per child.

Cultural performances and tickets

Groups of four or more can sign up for Navratri Golu Cultural Performances, including singing and dance, from Oct. 11 through Oct. 20 between 5:30 and 9 p.m. Each group gets seven minutes. Admission and parking for the performances are free.

Garba ticket options include daily passes, a family pack and an 11-day all-access pass. The temple's event page notes passes are selling fast. Parking is free throughout the festival.