Navaratri: The Hindu Festival of Nine Nights
Source: What is Navaratri, the Hindu festival of nine nights? (2025-09-23)
Navaratri is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated over nine nights and ten days, honoring the goddess Durga and her various forms. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, with devotees engaging in prayers, fasting, dance, and music to honor the divine feminine energy. Different regions in India observe Navaratri with unique customs, including elaborate rituals, colorful decorations, and community gatherings. During Navaratri, devotees often participate in fasting and prayer rituals, culminating in the celebration of Durga Puja. The festival also features traditional dance forms like Garba and Dandiya, especially in Gujarat, and is marked by the display of beautifully decorated idols and temples. Navaratri concludes with Vijayadashami or Dussehra, symbolizing the triumph of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, celebrating the victory of good over evil.