Navaratri Festival

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* Means no food on temple areas

Rangoli Design Contest -- 1 mil gil prize

All White Glamour Contest -- 1 mil gil prize

4pm EST -- Start of Navaratri and Vendors Open

5pm EST -- Dance floor opens

6pm EST -- Vendors Close & Performance Begins

7pm EST -- Winners of Contests announced

8pm EST -- End of Navaratri & Mount Parade to Radz-at-Han

What is Navaratri ? Literally meaning nine nights, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. It is primarily a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, specifically of the goddess Durga in her nine forms killing the demon Mahishasura. This victory is commemorated during the nine nights of the festival, one for each incarnation of the goddess. In temples, the goddess is honored by flowers and lamps illuminated in her honor, and prayers are said to her. Outside of temples, fasting is often observed to honour the goddess, with special meals made in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options depending on one's local culture to break said fasts, taking care to not use alcohol, bovine, or porcine products. Music, dancing, parade processions, and the wearing of specifically coloured clothing on each day are all also common ways to celebrate.

This festival is an ideal opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate their culture, as well as to network with other people and learn one-another's different ways to venerate the goddess. It is also a great time to learn about the goddess Durga, her symbolism and importance, and to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and the upholding of dharma.

Who are the Children of Thavnair ? We are a collective group of people who not only enjoy the cultural aspects of Thavnair, but also respect the sources used in the making of Thavnair, drawn from Indian mythology, Hindu religious beliefs, and cultures across the Indian subcontinent. Ever learning, we strive to bring more Thavnarian culture into the FFXIV roleplaying scene with not only enthusiasm, but headcanons supported by studying of the culture. You can find us engaging in open world roleplay events, cultural festivals like this one, hosting venues with Thavnairian themes, and engaging with one-another in joined roleplay plotlines.

Do I have to be Thavnarian/Hindu to celebrate ? Not at all! Please come and dance with us, roleplay with us, and join in the Garba! Eat, socialize, and be merry; we welcome you with open arms and open hearts.

This is a SAFE FOR WORK event

Please respect the culture, the performers and each other

Dress code is SFW attire

If you wish to feel festive then feel free to wear WHITE for the first days color for 2025.

Please do not eat while on temple structures

Day 1 -- White

Day 2 -- Red

Day 3 -- Royal Blue

Day 4 -- Yellow

Day 5 -- Green

Day 6 -- Gray

Day 7 -- Orange

Day 8 -- Peacock Green

Day 9 -- Pink

Gulab Chai--Made with a mix of steeped Petala-grown Azeyma Rose, house-blended pistachio extract and the lightest touch of sweet cream milk. As aromatic as it is enticing.

Kahwa Chai--Made with green tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, dried rose petals, crushed walnuts and saffron. Distinctly pink in color, this rich blend is a Petala favorite.

Pearl Roselle Tea--A fruity and tart tea made with locally cultivated flowers from some special botanists in the area. Sweetened with allspice, cloves, and ginger. Optionally can be sweetened with honey or sugar.

Honey Lemonade--Naturally sweetened lemonade, refreshing, crisp, and surprisingly refreshing! Nothing special, but every sip is delicious!

Samosa--A traditional, fairly well known snack throughout Thavnair. Deep fried dough encases a mixture of potatoes, peas, mild chilis and lemon juice mixed with various spices such as cumin, graham masala, fennel and chili powder. Deep-fried goodness with a bit of a kick.

Curry Bowls

Choices | hamsa • scallop • lentil

spice? | mild • hot • fiery

Rich, slightly sweet, & tender served in a bed of lightly buttered Jasmine rice. It's a Tusk favorite all in a neat to-go bowl!

Paneer Pakora--Bite-sized cubes of paneer cheese are coated in a batter of spices, including chaat and graham masala, chili powder, ajwain and ginger green chili paste before being deep fried to a golden, crispy perfection.Served in all stacked together in a cup with a side of coriander mint chutney.

Kulfi--Creamy, dense, and custard-like ice cream bars on popsicle sticks. A beloved favorite in thavnair any time of the year.

Flavors | mango • chocolate • strawberry • almond • coconut • pistachio

Petala Cookie BoxA collection of small, assorted cookies in traditional Thavnairian flavor pairings. Includes Pistachio Honey thumbprint, Basil Rose, Chocolate Saffron and Cardamom Mango thumbprint. All cookies were made the night before opening and have the texture of a typical shortbread. Served as two cookies per flavor!

Chinotto --Straight from miss Yumi's kitchen and made from her old family recipe. This drink is known for it's dark colour and strong, bittersweet, citrusy flavour. A popular summertime drink and a good way to keep yourself refreshed and hydrated.

Ramune --Looking for something a little sweeter? Well Lia's been in the back cooking up and bottling some fantastic soda for you. Traditional hingashi soda in a familiar cod necked glass bottle. Press that marble and have a cold one on us.

Katsu Burgers --Fried chicken served on a sesame seed bun and dressed with lettuce, onion, tomato, eastern mayo, and tonkatsu sauce.

Marshall Eirwyn's Miq'abobs --A set of marinated salmon skewers, paired with home grown sweet peppers, zucchini, and rubbed with the Marshall's secret blend of desert spices.

Rushir's specialty! A classic Thavnairian spiced onion fritter, deep fried to crispy perfection and served with mint chutney."

Kheer--Rice pudding with added spices and floral water, this dish can be an excellent breakfast or dessert for any palate.

Lassi--Chilled to perfection, this karakul yogurt-based drink can be mixed with a fruit mix of your choice to make a soothing, delicious drink perfect for festival nights.

Bazaar Chai--Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and a hint of black pepper, this milk-based black tea is a favourite at the Café proper, and is right at home in festival markets.

Golgappa--Small fried wheat spheres filled with chaat-spiced chickpea salad and served with chutney dips, these little flavour bombs are an excellent snack for the savoury seeker.

Hamsa Paratha--Well-spiced, tandoor-roasted hamsa wrapped in paratha along with a creamy sauce and diced onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers, this Thavnairian wrap is a perfect on-the-go meal.

Gulab Jamun--

Small spheres of fried dough dusted in flavoured sugar, these treats are a common Thavnairian festival food. Optional rose water syrup, whipped cream, and nut toppings are available

Banana Falooda--Vermicelli noodles suspended in dzo milk and banana syrup, flavoured with sweet basil seeds and a dash of orange water before being topped with banana ice cream, this dessert is sure to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Cucumber Juice--A refreshing concoction of juiced cucumbers flavoured with hints of mint, lime, and ginger, this drink is sure to quench your thirst.