NAVARATRI
Navaratri is a festival that lasts nine days and nine nights. The word "Navaratri" actually means nine (Nava) nights (ratri). This is celebrated in different styles throughout India.
Navaratri is the worship of the three divine goddesses, Saraswati (Goddess of learning and speech), Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity), and Durga (Goddess of strength and courage). The most significant part of Navaratri is the setting up an odd number of steps (usually 7, 9, or 11), and the placement of different idols of Gods on them. This setup is called a "Golu". Friends and relatives are invited to take a look at the Golu and are given “Prasad”. One of the most common forms of celebration is the performance of dandia-ras, a popular dance where women wear Ghagra Choli and Men wear Dhoti-Kurta and enjoy dancing the whole Night!!!
DANDIA RAAS
GOLU
On the 9th day (Saraswathi Pooja), special poojas are offered to Goddess Saraswathi - the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Even vehicles are washed and decorated, and poojas are performed for them. The 10th day - "Vijayadasami" - is the most auspicious day of all. It was the day on which evil was finally destroyed by good. It is said that the battle that occurred between Goddess Durga and the asura (demon), Mahishaasura lasted 9 days and 9 nights. Finally, on the tenth day, the Goddess killed Mahishaasura.