Navratri -- literally the festival of nine (nav) nights (ratri) -- celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Shakti. The first three nights celebrate Kumari, Parvati and Kali. Lakshmi, in her avatars as the goddess of peace, plenty and bliss, is worshipped during the next three days.
The last three days are devoted to Goddess Saraswati and her avatars. Navratri, however, is most popular for the nine nights of Garba, Raas and Dandiya (folk dances from the state of Gujarat) as everyone, decked out in traditional finery, join in the communal celebration!
The magic of Navratri
'This could be the best Navratri ever'
Images: Dancing the nights away
Earlier slide shows
Celebrating Navratri
Queen of Dandiya Nights
The Festival of Nine Nights
Dandiya nights
Dandiya Fever
Five must see Kolkata pujas
Welcoming Ma Durga
Mumbai's Dakshineswar Temple
Earlier Navratri Specials
'This could be the best Navratri ever'
Fasting? Here's what you can eat
Say NO to drugs this Navratri!
Going dancing? Here's what you should remember
Haute Navratri fashion
Photograph: Rediff Archives. Design: Reuben NV
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