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Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to worshipping the Hindu deity Shakti. The word Navratri literally means �nine nights� and during these nine nights and ten days, the nine forms of Shakti (or divine mother, also known as Devi) are worshipped. The tenth day on which Navratri culminates is known as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera. Navratri is a very auspicious and colourful period, dedicated to fasting, prayer and celebration and is commemorated in many different and unique ways across India.
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| Famous Navratri Celebrations across India: |
| Delhi: (Ramlila)
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| A colourful stage play called Ramlila is the way in which Delhi celebrates Navratri. Ramlila is a dramatic re-enactment of the life of Lord Ram, which ends in the ten day long battle between Lord Ram and the demon king Ravan, ending in effigies of Ravan, his brother Kumbhkaran and son Mehgnath being set on fire-signifying victory of good over evil. |
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| Gujarat: (Dandiya)
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| The state of Gujarat celebrates Navratri in the most colourful way by way of the traditional dandiya dance, which includes the tapping of small wooden sticks against each other to the rhythm of the music. This is one of the most famous Navratri celebrations in India. |
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| West Bengal: (Durga Puja)
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| Durga Puja celebrated all across West Bengal with great zeal is the worship of the Hindu mother goddess, Durga. The Durga Puja festival, also known as Durgotsav marks the victory of the Goddess Durga over the evil demon Mahishasur, signifying the triumph of good over evil. |
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| Kerala: (Saraswati Puja)
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| The state of Kerala celebrates the last three days of Navratri in the from of Saraswati Puja. On this day all kinds of tools, equipment, machinery and agricultural implements are decorated and worshipped, along with the Mother Goddess. Work begins afresh from the next day, Vijayadashmi, which is considered very auspicious. |
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| Karanataka: (Mysore Dasara)
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| In Mysore, on all the ten days leading up to Vijayadashmi, music and dance concerts are held in auditoriums across the city. Musicians and dancers from all over the country come to participate in this colourful festive carnival. Another unique attraction during the Mysore Dasara is the Kusti Spardhe (wrestling) which attracts wrestlers from all across the country. |
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