Navratri

Navratri is a nine-night celebration of the Divine Mother and the power of Shakti. A central tradition tells of the buffalo demon Mahishasura, who had become difficult for the gods to defeat. Their combined divine energies manifested as Goddess Durga, who fought him through a prolonged battle and finally defeated him, making the festival a celebration of courage, divine power and the restoration of dharma. The nine nights are also associated with nine forms of the Goddess, from Shailaputri to Siddhidatri, each representing a different spiritual quality. Regional practice gives Navratri many forms: Bengal centres on Durga Puja, northern India often links the season with Ram Lila, southern homes may arrange Golu displays, and Gujarat is famous for evening Garba and Dandiya around a lamp or sacred centre representing the Goddess. Fasting, aarti, devotional singing and community worship accompany the celebration, which culminates in Vijayadashami.

Navratri is valued for devotion, family tradition and the spiritual or seasonal meaning attached to the day.

A garbo - an earthen pot pierced with holes and lit from inside - is installed and circled. Garba is danced around it in rings, and raas with sticks. Many fast, taking only farali food, for some or all of the nine days.

Garba and raas in Gujarat, danced by whole neighbourhoods until very late. Bengal folds the last four days into Durga Puja and its pandals. The north keeps Ramlila and fasts through the nine days; Tamil Nadu and Karnataka set out the Golu, tiered steps of dolls, and visit each other to see them. Same nine nights, four different things to do.