Navratri

Navratri is Sanskrit word which means 9 nights ( Nav- nine and Ratri- nights). So this period of nine nights is a festival of worship, dance and music celebrated over a period of nine nights. It is celebrated from the first to ninth day of Ashwin month of the Lunar Calendar for the worship of the Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is believed to exist in many forms like Goddess Bhavani, Jagdamba, Mahakali etc. The first nine days of the Ashwin are devoted for worshipping the Divine Mother -'MAA'. These nine days are divided and devoted to the Trinity of God worshipped in a female form - three days for Durga (Goddess of valor) three days for Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and three days for Sarswati (Goddess of Knowledge and Art). On the fifth day (Lalita Panchami), it is traditional, to gather all books, light a lamp and invoke Sarswati . The eighth and ninth day, it is traditional to perform Yagna (sacrifice offered to the fire) to honor Divine Mother and bid her farewell.

Gujaratis are famous for performing their traditional dances Garba & Dandiya-Raas during Navratri. The women-folk dance in a circle, singing 'Garbas' or traditional songs. Dandiya-Raas is played with wooden sticks (dandiyas). Apart from Gujrat, Garbas are performed in other states & cities like Mumbai. Beautifully decorated 'mandaps' are set up for playing garba & dandiya by various cultural societies, housing commitees & youth social groups. Young men-women wear colourful traditional dresses and play Garba with great enthusiasm.The mood of Navratri is very colourful & unique. In various parts of India,the Ram-Leela is performed during Navratri. Ram-Leela is a stage enaction of Ramayana,the story of Lord Rama.

The tenth day, also known as Vijaya Dasami (day of Victory over evils), Dassera is significant to launch new activities or beginning of learning. It signifies the good winning over the evil. It is believed that on this day, Lord Rama had killed the demon Ravana. So, on Dassera, effigies of Ravana are burnt all over India. Dusshera or Dussehra is the grand culmination of the 10-day annual festival of Navaratras also called Navaratris. It is also the largest festival of Nepal and celebrated by Hindu and non-Hindu as well.