Navaratri[a] 

is an annual and one of the most revered Hindu festivals observed in the honour of

Mother Goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month
of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar) and again in the month of Sharada. It is observed
for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere.[2]
[3]
 Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri. However, in practice, it is the post-monsoon
autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri. The festival is celebrated in the bright half of the Hindu
calendar month Ashvin, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October.[2][4] It
takes place at the same time as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.[5

Dates and celebrations[edit]

In the eastern and northeastern states of India, the Durga Puja[6] is synonymous with Navaratri,
wherein goddess Durga battles and emerges victorious over the buffalo demon Mahishasur to help
restore dharma.[3] In southern states, the victory of Durga or Kali is celebrated. In all cases, the
common theme is the battle and victory of good over evil based on a regionally famous epic or
legend such as the Devi Mahatmya.[2][4]

Celebrations[edit]
Celebrations include worshipping nine goddesses during nine days, stage decorations, recital of the
legend, enacting of the story, and chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism. The nine days are also a
major crop season cultural event, such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to
these pandals, and the public celebration of classical and folk dances of Hindu culture.[7][8][9] Hindu
devotees often celebrate Navaratri by fasting. On the final day, called Vijayadashami, the statues are
either immersed in a water body such as a river or ocean, or the statue symbolising the evil is burnt
with fireworks, marking the destruction of evil. During this time preparations also take place
for Diwali (the festival of lights) which is celebrated twenty days after Vijayadashami.[3][10][11]

Dates[edit]
According to some Hindu texts such as the Shakta and Vaishnava Puranas, Navaratri theoretically
falls twice or four times in a year. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri near autumn equinox
(September–October) is the most celebrated and the Vasanta Navaratri near spring equinox
(March–April) is the next most significant to the culture of the Indian subcontinent. In all cases,
Navaratri falls in the bright half of the Hindu lunisolar months. The celebrations vary by region,
leaving much to the creativity and preferences of the Hindu.