Navratri or Navaratri is one of the most popular Hindu festival celebrated in India. Navarathri Festival is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and during the nine days of Navratri, the nine different forms of Goddess Shakti is worshipped. Navaratri Festival 2023 is celebrated from 15 October to 24 October 2023. Read more about the Regional Significance of Navaratri and the Navratri traditions and rituals.
Dussehra Festival / Vijayadashami Festival 2023 date is on 24 October.
Navratri Celebrations in India
The celebrations of Navratri vary from region to region. Let us know some important Navratri celebrations in various parts of India here.
Navratri in Gujarat
Navratri celebrations are held in a grand scale in the western states of India, particularly in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The traditional dances, Dandiya and Garba, are the most attractive features of the celebration. Gujarati men and women move around in a circle by clapping their hands or decorated sticks according to the rhythm of the devotional songs. Aarti and 'Dandiya raas' are performed all through the night.
In Maharashtra, Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and Vijayadashami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. People consider this day as auspicious to start education and other new ventures.
Bengalis celebrate Navaratri as Durga Puja. The idols of Goddess Durga in the posture of killing the demon Mahishasura are worshipped. Grand processions are held on the tenth day and the idols are immersed in water. The last four days of Navaratri are most important for them
Navratri in Himachal Pradesh
Dussehra is celebrated in the Kulu valley of Himachal Pradesh by the hill-folk. Village deities are taken in processions during the day.
Navaratri Celebrations in Punjab
Punjabis observe fast for seven days and it is broken day on the eighth day by worshipping young girls who are believed to symbolize the Goddess Durga. Puris (a kind of deep-fried Indian bread), halwa (a dessert primarily made of flour and sugar), chanas (Bengal gram) and red chunnis (long scarves) are offered to the young girls.
Navratri Festival in Jammu and Kashmir
Navaratri is celebrated here by Hindu minorities of Kashmiri Pandits. They observe fast for nine days, sticking only to water and fruits or consume the food specifically made for the fast, only in the evening. The devotees worship their guardian goddess, Kheer Bhawani, on all nine days of Navratri. The fast is broken after the Aarti which is held on the last day of Navaratri. Vaishno Devi Temple is also worshipped by many devotees during Navaratri.
Navaratri in Mysore, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
In Mysore, Chamundi, the royal deity of the Mysore royalty, is worshipped during Navratri. There is a spectacular procession of elephants, horses and chariots on the tenth day, when Maharaja goes to worship the Chamundi temple.
In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, 'Bommai Kolu' is arranged by women. Kolu is a special placing of dolls decorated with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps. One can see the idols of Hindu gods, goddesses, sages, poets, mythological characters, war heroes, national leaders, and animals. The number of steps is usually in odd numbers. Flowers and vermillion are shared by married women during the occasion.
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