Navratri, meaning 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated with great devotion across India. This nine-day festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and the celebration of divine feminine energy. Navratri is celebrated four times a year, with the Sharada Navratri (Ashwin Navratri) in September-October being the most widely observed.

During Navratri, devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. Each day is dedicated to a specific form of the goddess, with special prayers, rituals, and offerings. The festival is marked by fasting, prayer, traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya (especially in Gujarat), and community celebrations.

Navratri holds immense spiritual significance as it represents the triumph of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (unrighteousness). The festival culminates on the tenth day with Dussehra (Vijayadashami), celebrating Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. Navratri brings communities together, with colorful decorations, music, dance, and shared devotion creating an atmosphere of joy and spiritual awakening.

Navratri celebrates the divine feminine energy (Shakti) and honors the various forms of Goddess Durga, who represents strength, power, and protection. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, allowing devotees to connect with different aspects of the divine feminine. The festival emphasizes the importance of inner strength, courage, and righteousness in overcoming challenges and evil forces.

The nine nights of Navratri are divided into three sets of three days, each dedicated to a different aspect of the goddess: the first three days worship Durga (the destroyer of impurities), the next three days worship Lakshmi (the giver of prosperity), and the final three days worship Saraswati (the giver of knowledge). This progression symbolizes the spiritual journey from purification to prosperity to enlightenment.

Navratri is a time for spiritual purification, self-reflection, and seeking divine blessings. The practice of fasting during Navratri is believed to purify the body and mind, allowing devotees to focus on prayer and spiritual growth. The festival culminates with Dussehra, celebrating the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the burning of Ravana's effigy and the triumph of Lord Rama.

• Fasting for nine days or during specific days, consuming only sattvic foods (pure vegetarian food without onion and garlic)
• Installing a Ghat (pot) with holy water and establishing the Kalash (sacred pot) with mango leaves and coconut on the first day (Pratipada)
• Daily prayers and puja to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, with specific mantras and offerings for each day
• Lighting akhand diya (continuous lamp) that burns throughout the nine days
• Performing Garba and Dandiya dances, especially popular in Gujarat and Western India
• Reading or listening to the Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmya) - a sacred text praising the goddess
• Visiting temples and participating in community prayers and celebrations
• Offering flowers, fruits, sweets, and traditional prasad to the goddess each day
• Wearing traditional clothes, with each day sometimes associated with specific colors
• Concluding the festival with Kanya Puja (worshipping young girls) and breaking the fast on the ninth or tenth day

Various sacred items are offered to Goddess Durga during Navratri puja:

• Flowers: Red and yellow flowers like marigolds, roses, and lotus are offered as symbols of devotion and purity
• Fruits: Seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, pomegranates, and coconuts are offered with reverence
• Sweets: Traditional sweets like halwa, puri, chana, and homemade ladoos are prepared and offered as prasad
• Sattvic Food: Pure vegetarian food without onion and garlic, including sabudana khichdi, kuttu ka atta dishes, and fruits
• Cloth and Jewelry: New clothes, especially in red or yellow colors, and traditional jewelry are offered to the goddess
• Incense and Lamps: Fragrant incense sticks, ghee lamps, and camphor are used to create a divine atmosphere and purify the environment