Code 9: Navratri is Actually Celebrated in 9 Different Ways Across These 9 Places!

Being born and brought up in a cosmopolitan city like Delhi, I have friends from diverse cultural backgrounds. One fine evening, while talking to a bunch of friends, I asked ‘Is Navratri a Gujarati thing?’ This started a conversation on how these nine days of festivities were celebrated throughout India. I learnt from my friends that despite the basic story being the same—good wining over the evil—each state celebrates Navratri, the Nine Sacred Nights, in its own way! Here’s how:

 

1. West Bengal, Assam and Bihar​

Saptami, Ashthami, Navami and Dashami—the last four days of Navratri are celebrated as Durga Puja in the eastern parts of the country. Durga Puja is the most popular festival in West Bengal, Assam and Bihar, and is celebrated with great pomp. The festival celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.

 

2. Gujarat

The sounds of dandiya sticks and dhol can be heard all over Gujarat during the first nine days of the month of Ashvin. Devotees observe fast and worship Maa Shakti. In the evening, a garbi, an earthen pot with diyas symbolizing the source of life, is used for the evening aarti after which traditional dances, garba and dandiya are performed both by men and women.

 

3. Tamil Nadu

Just like other states, Tamil Nadu has its unique way of celebrating these nine days. During Navratri, they worship the goddesses Durga, Saraswati and Laxmi. Three days are dedicated to each of them. In the evenings, relatives are invited over to the house and gifts are exchanged. Married women are given chudiya (bangles), bindi and other ornaments. The most fascinating ritual is Kolu, where a makeshift staircase is decorated with dolls which are said to be passed on from generation to generation.

 

4. Punjab

Most Punjabis fast for the first seven days of the Navratri, honouring of all the reincarnated forms of Maa Shakti.  Every night, jagrans take place, where devotees gather to sing religious songs. On the Ashtami or the Navami, fasts are broken by inviting nine young girls from the neighbourhood, who are honoured with gifts including money, food etc. These girls, known as ‘kanjak’, are considered to be representations of the nine different avatars (forms) of Maa Shakti.

 

5. Andhra Pradesh

During the nine days of Navratri, the people of Andhra Pradesh celebrate Bathukamma Panduga, nine days dedicated to Maha Gauri, the goddess representing womanhood.  During this time, women make flower stacks in the traditional style with local flowers and perform a puja. At the end of Navratri, this stack is then set afloat on a lake or any other water body.

 

6. Kerala

In Kerala, Navratri is associated with education. As this festival marks the victory of good over evil, Keralites consider these days as the most auspicious for learning or starting something new.  During the last three days, they worship Goddess Saraswati and place books next to her statue in their homes.

 

7. Karnataka

Navratri in Karnataka is known as Nadahabba and is celebrated in the same way that it was way back in 1610 by the great Vijayanagara dynasty. Vijayadashami, the tenth day of Navratri, marks the victory of the good over the evil when Goddess Shakti fought and killed the demon Mahishasura on this day. Ironically, the state of Mysore was named after Mahishasura.  On dashami, people march elephants on the streets and exhibitions and fairs are held all over the state.

 

8. Maharashtra

For Maharashtrians, Navratri symbolizes new beginnings, hence this is considered the best time for buying property or making business deals. Married women invite their married friends over; they apply haldi and kumkum on their forehead and exchange gifts. Just like Gujarat, each of these nine nights is garba and dandiya night for Maharashtrians.  

 

9. Himachal Pradesh

Navatri celebrations in Himachal Pradesh take place on the tenth day of the Navratri. Unlike the rest of the states, the celebrations in Himachal Pradesh starts when it ends for others. It’s known as Kullu Dussehra marking the return of Load Rama to Ayodhya. During the nine days of Navratri, local Hindu families have get-togethers and show their respect to Goddess Durga.

 

Charmed by these exciting rituals and cultures all over India, I decided to witness one every year. This year my trip will be to West Bengal to see Durga Puja. Where will you go this Navratri? Tell us in the comments below!