Solution to 11D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.
ACROSS
10 Letters from cycling buddy encourage husband to move ahead (8) ALPHABET {(-p)AL(+p)P} and {ABET}<=>{H}
12 Spooner's hair colour for formal wear (5-3) DRESS-TIE (~ tress dye to dress tie)
13 You and I can get working (6) USABLE {US}{ABLE}
15 Two women with shields fighting in rodeo (4,4,4) WILD WEST SHOW {TWO+W+W+SHIELDS}*
18 How a model performs or protests? (7,1,4) STRIKES A POSE [DD]
21 Assumes largely reliable president's boring America (6) USURPS {U{SURe}{P}S}
22 Cook tosses English eggs in free dessert, say (4,4) RICH FOOD {CHeF}{00} in {RID}
24 Scrap's worth (5,3) THROW OUT {WORTH}* [RA]
25 Bored Anu runs wild in sex (2,1,3) IN A RUT {ANU+R}* in {IT}
26 Married lives need time to weather tear and abuse (8) MISTREAT {M}{IS}{TEAR*}{T}
27 Old country's part of upper Sialkot (6) PERSIA [T]
DOWN
1 Eat quickly and throw on the ground (4,4) DASH DOWN [DD]
2 Bug in fuse tripping perfect boxes (8) HOUSEFLY {HO{FUSE*}LY}
3 Give authority to stop and interview West Haryana's leading criminal (6,4,5) INVEST WITH POWER {STOP+INTERVIEW+W+Ha...a}*
5 Decorative object looking lovely basically! (4) DOLL Acrostic #lit
6 Slim odds of a new stagecoach wandering without horse at the lead (1,5,2,1,6) A GHOST OF A CHANCE {OF+A+N+STAGECOACH}* over {Ho..e}
7 Swallow that is biting many birds in bushes initially (6) IMBIBE {I{Many}{Bi..s}{In}{Bu...s}E}
8 Parent taking time to make home run (6) MOTHER {MO{T}HE*}{R}
11 Connection finally back on board (7) ?I?S?I? (Addendum - KINSHIP {bacK}{IN SHIP} - See comments)
17 Some chatted never bringing up bad blood (8) VENDETTA [T<=]
19 Copper gets most used for 23, perhaps (6) CUSTOM {CU}{MOST*}
20 Durga attacking with Shakti, primarily protects (6) GUARDS {DURGA*}{Sh...i}
23 Starts to pray using japa and ritual for Navartri (4) PUJA Acrostic
Reference List
Hospital = H, The in German = DE, Caught = C, Women = W, With = W, President = P, English = E, Runs =R, Sex = IT, Married = M, Time = T, West = W, New = N, American sack = AX, Over = O
11 D K(finally back) IN SHIP (on board) - KINSHIP - Connection
ReplyDeleteNavratri Wishes to all. Thank You Hypatia for the special puzzle, superbly crafted.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vasant
DeleteSrikant Sri you are hereby promoted to the regulars list
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
DeleteThank you Sir
Delete👏
DeleteCongratulations srikanth
DeleteCongrats Srikanth. Well solved.
DeleteDeserving
ReplyDeleteCol. Typo in 16 d. Extra P to be deleted. Only journos.
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoyable grid today. Liked 10a the most for Alphabet. Happy holidays everyone
ReplyDeleteThank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteMussed the Dussehra. Neatly done. Thank you Hypatia. Navratri wishes to all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paddy
DeleteGreetings to you all on the festival
ReplyDeleteTypo in 16D- extra P
ReplyDeleteCorrected
DeleteApt NINA at the beginning of Navaratri!
ReplyDeleteFestival greetings to all!
Thank you Ramesh
DeleteOutstanding grid on the eve of Navrathri. esp. 10A was CoD, after huge try. The other puzzles are really very interesting. Thank you Hypatia.
ReplyDeleteThanks Prasanna. Good to know which ones you liked.
DeleteThanks to all the solvers for your feedback in the blog and across social media. Navarathri has been a cherished festival from my childhood with fond memories of Sundal hopping, dressing up & the huge Golu at home.
ReplyDeleteThe NINA in this themed puzzle was “DUSSEHRA” as has been correctly identified. It may be interesting to know that I had placed it along the diagonal to represent the “Golu Steps”. Wish all the blog readers a happy festive season and see you next month.