Nine nights of worship dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, celebrated differently across India.
Navratri has roots in ancient agrarian and goddess-worship traditions across the subcontinent, later woven into the Puranic narrative of Durga's battle against the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
The festival honours the divine feminine (Shakti) in her many forms, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and invoking strength, protection and prosperity.
The central story is of Durga's nine-day battle against Mahishasura, a demon who could not be defeated by any god — only by a goddess formed from their combined energies — culminating in his defeat on Vijayadashami.
In West Bengal, the festival centres on elaborate Durga Puja pandals and culminates in idol immersion; in Gujarat, it is defined by nightly Garba dancing; in South India, homes display Golu (doll arrangements) and the festival leads into Dussehra celebrations of Rama's victory over Ravana.
Each of the nine nights is dedicated to a different form of the goddess; many observe a fast, and the nights are marked by prayer, fasting, and — in Gujarat especially — communal Garba and Dandiya Raas dance.
Daily worship of the goddess in her nine forms, often with a kalash (sacred pot) installed on day one representing her presence, and a formal Kanya Puja (worship of young girls as living forms of the goddess) on the final days.
Homes and pandals are decorated with flowers, lights and, in South India, tiered doll displays (Golu); Durga Puja pandals in Bengal are often elaborate works of art.
Many observe a nine-day fast eating only specific foods (fruits, milk, sabudana); the festival closes with a special feast on the final day.
Not necessarily — some observe a fast only on the first and last days, or on specific days dedicated to particular forms of the goddess, depending on family tradition.
Falls over nine nights in the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin, usually in September or October, ending with Vijayadashami/Dussehra.
