Navaratri: The Nine Nights of the Goddess

Navaratri — “nine nights” — celebrates the Divine Mother in her many forms. The most widely celebrated is Sharad Navaratri in the month of Ashvin (autumn), ending with Vijayadashami (Dasara). Chaitra Navaratri in spring ends with Sri Rama Navami.

1. Shailaputri
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Kushmanda
5. Skandamata
6. Katyayani
7. Kalaratri
8. Mahagauri
9. Siddhidatri

• Telangana — Bathukamma, flower stacks worshipped as Goddess Gauri, and Dasara.
• Andhra Pradesh — Kanaka Durga at Vijayawada is worshipped in a different alankaram each day.
• Karnataka — Mysuru Dasara and Bombe Habba (doll display).
• Tamil Nadu — Golu, steps of dolls, and Saraswati Puja.
• Gujarat — Garba and Dandiya.
• Bengal — Durga Puja pandals.

On the first day a kalash is installed with barley sown around it, and a lamp (akhand jyoti) is often kept burning for nine days. The Goddess is worshipped daily with Durga Saptashati or Lalitha Sahasranama chanting.

Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami include Kanya (Kumari) puja; Saraswati is worshipped in the last days; Ayudha Puja honours tools and vehicles; and Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of good over evil — a favoured day for starting learning (Vidyarambham).

Book Durga Puja or Chandi Homam at home, or an online Navaratri puja at a Devi temple. Dates for your city are in the festival calendar.