Navratri just like the name suggests is a celebration of nine days to worship Goddess Durga which is the goddess of power. Goddess Durga is also known as Goddess Lakshmi in her protective form and Goddess Saraswati for disseminating knowledge. It is these three divine aspects that are worshipped during the festival of Navratri.
Goddess Durga which symbolizes the destructive aspect of the divine mother is worshipped during the first three nights of the festival. On the next three nights, her Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and on the last three nights, the knowledge aspect which is Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. The festival is celebrated with this order because first Goddess Durga destroys all the evil after which Lakshmi imbibes divine qualities in the minds of devotees and finally Goddess Saraswati bestows true knowledge. The tenth day known as Vijaya Dasami, is generally the day where victory of knowledge wins over evil.
The festival of Navratri is celebrated twice a year, once in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja. Navratri is celebrated in the country differently in different states. In North India, all three Navratris are celebrated with much fervor by fasting on all nine days and worshipping the Mother Goddess in her different forms. In Gujarat, people dance in groups (garba) to worship the Goddess. In West Bengal people perform Durga Puja which is actually the biggest festival of the year in this state. In South India, Saraswati is worshipped with on the last day which is the 9th day.
Many Hindus all across the country who celebrate the festival of Navratri observe fast. They offer their prayers with all the rituals that are suppose to take place and wish for their well being, health and prosperity. Navratri is considered to be an auspicious time for starting anything afresh or buying anything new.
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