The Shree Hanuman Sanathan Dharma Sabha Mandir in Port Shepstone erupted with colour and music on 11 October as the first day of Navaratri kicked off, marking the start of what organisers called South Africa’s biggest Navaratri tour. Devotees packed the temple grounds for prayer, recitals, discourses and traditional ritual, followed by lively performances and an outdoor Garba event that local leaders described as a first for the area.
Performers and rituals draw big turnout
The celebration opened with the customary Navaratri prayer and a hawan conducted by Dave and Ravina Rampul. Popular performer Shiv Shuffler and his show band led the stage programme, supplemented by the energetic beats of the Dhol Army BollyRatri DJ Set. The report said it was the first time the show band had visited Port Shepstone.
Singers from Shiv Shuffler Productions who appeared included Thribhawon Ramsander, Tasvir Rajpal, Nerissa Sewrathan and Rajnitha Magraj. Photographs from the event captured long-time devotees standing alongside families experiencing the festival for the first time.
“Firstly, I extend my gratitude to the Divine Mother for making this event possible. To our South Coast community, thank you for showing up and supporting this huge event,”
The appreciation was attributed to Veena Lakhan, chairperson of the Mandir, who thanked the community after the strong turnout. The festival runs for nine days and this year began on 11 October, concluding on 20 October, offering daily prayers and cultural programming throughout.
What made this Navaratri different for Port Shepstone
Organisers and attendees highlighted several aspects that set this year’s event apart for the South Coast community:
- Large visiting programme — the presence of Shiv Shuffler and his show band, plus the Dhol Army DJ set, introduced performances not previously staged locally.
- First outdoor Garba — an outdoor Garba festival for the community was staged, providing space for larger dance participation.
- Community rituals — traditional hawan, recitals and discourses continued to anchor the festival in religious observance while music and dance created a public celebration.
Photographs accompanying the report show devotees and families including longtime members and new participants gathered in the temple precincts. The event appeared to draw a cross-section of South Coast residents and visitors who travelled to Port Shepstone to join the festivities.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Navaratri launch and festival |
| Dates | 11–20 October 2026 |
| Location | Shree Hanuman Sanathan Dharma Sabha Mandir, Port Shepstone |
| Key performers | Shiv Shuffler & show band; Dhol Army BollyRatri DJ Set; singers from Shiv Shuffler Productions |
For many in Port Shepstone the festival offered both spiritual observance and an inclusive community occasion. Chairperson Veena Lakhan’s remarks, cited in the report, stressed gratitude to the Divine Mother and to the South Coast community for attending and supporting the event.
As the nine-day festival progressed, devotees were expected to continue participating in daily recitals, prayers and cultural activities. The inclusion of larger-scale musical acts and an outdoor Garba suggests the Mandir is seeking to widen participation and accommodate growing attendance at religious and cultural events on the South Coast.
Local residents who missed the first day may still attend subsequent days of Navaratri at the Mandir up to and including 20 October, where a mix of ritual, music and dance will continue to mark the annual observance.
