Egypt dances to the tune of Garba while celebrating Dussehra

Hundreds of members of the vibrant Indian community in Egypt celebrated Dussehra festival with traditional Garba dance at a colourful event.

More than 600 people, including those who travelled from Alexandria, Port Said and Ismailia, joined the celebration organised by the Indian Community Association of Egypt (ICAE). Dressed in colourful saris, ghagra-choli, kurtas and churidars, the Indian community members danced and played Garba with the Egyptian people at the event organised on Friday.

Egyptian artistes from Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC), Cairo, danced to the music of folk and traditional Hindi songs, adding a fresh dimension to the shared bonds between the two people of the two countries.

India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya conveyed Durga Puja, Navratri and Dussehra greetings. He congratulated Indian community members for retaining the strong traditions and inculcating them in children, who were present in large numbers.

He also welcomed the Egyptian people who joined the celebrations and shared the joy. The function commenced with the traditional lighting of lamps by Ambassador Bhattacharyya followed by an 'Aarti of Ma Durga.'

Vijayadashami is celebrated as the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and also as the triumph of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. For Indians living overseas, such festivals provide an opportunity to keep alive their traditions and culture and also share it with the younger generation. Later, the participants also had a taste of Indian delicacies.