What is Navaratri? Inside the Nine-Day Festival

Navaratri is a nine-day festival honouring the nine forms of goddess Durga
Navaratri is a nine-day festival honouring the nine forms of goddess Durga | © Matthias Rosenkranz / WikiCommons

Navaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Durga, the mythical mother goddess and protector of the universe. The celebration lasts nine days and is observed across many regions in India.

According to Hindu scriptures, there are four Navaratris in a year, one every season: Vasanta Navaratri in spring, Ashad Navaratri in summer, Sharad Navaratri in autumn and Magha Navaratri in winter. The most important is the Sharad Navaratri, which is observed in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September and October in the Gregorian calendar).

Like many other Indian festivals, there are several folk tales attached to the celebration of Navaratri, but what they all have in common is the triumph of good over evil. The deities associated with this festival are Durga and Ram, but other Hindu gods like Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesha, Shiva, Kartikeya and Krishna are worshipped in different parts of the country, too.

Along with Durga, some states in South India also dedicate Navaratri to other Hindu deities like Laxmi, Saraswati, Ganesha and Kartikeya

Celebrating goddess Durga

Durga takes nine different forms, one for each of the nine days. Every incarnation of the goddess is associated with a colour and, although not mandatory, devotees are expected to wear a specific colour on a specific day when taking part in the festivities. The first day, for example, is associated with the colour red, which symbolises energy, and the last day with sky blue signifying the beauty of nature.

This belief is mostly prevalent in the eastern region of India, including states like West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar.

Navaratri celebrations depicting the victory of goddess Durga over demon Mahishasura

The triumphant return of Ram

In the northern states of India, Navaratri is connected with the story of Ram’s victory over the demon king Ravana, who kept the god’s wife Sita hostage in Lanka. Temporary theatres are installed in various neighbourhoods over nine days, with actors enacting the Ramlila, the retelling of the life of Ram according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. On the 10th day, which is celebrated as the festival of Dussehra, effigies of Ravana and his brothers Kumbhakarna and Meghanada are burnt during the festivities to signify the end of evil.

Cities like Ayodhya (believed to be the birthplace of Ram), Varanasi and Vrindavan regularly host the Ramlila. In the capital, the most famous celebration takes place at Ramlila Maidan in Old Delhi.

The burning of Ravana’s effigy after Ramlila

How Navaratri is celebrated

Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Puja in most eastern states. During this time, elaborately designed stages known as pandals, with the statue of Durga as the centrepiece, are set up in each neighbourhood. In north India, there is a 10-day fair during which the Ramlila is the main attraction. In the state of Gujarat in the west, Navaratri is one of the most important festivals. People usually fast for nine days in honour of Durga and devote all their prayers to a symbolic clay lantern, which is called garbo and is meant to represent a womb as the nucleus of all life forms. The famous garba, a spiritual dance form that originated in Gujarat, is performed during the celebrations at this time of the year.

The clay lantern, called garbo, is meant to represent a womb as the nucleus of all life forms
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article