Navaratri

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In Hindu tradition, a nine-day festival for the worship of Durga, goddess of bravery and the wife or shakti (female attribute) of Shiva. It leads to the festival of Dussehra (‘the tenth’). The celebration of Navaratri, held September/October, takes different forms in different regions of India. In areas such as Gujarat the nine days are divided, with three days of devotion to Durga, three to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and three to Sarasvati, goddess of knowledge and art. The three goddesses symbolize the trinity of God in a female form.

In Bengal, the festival is known as Durga Puja, and devoted to Durga worship. Durga rides on a lion, and was sent by the other gods to kill the buffalo-demon Mahishasura, for which purpose they each gave her a different weapon. During the festival, hymns are sung to the goddess, and on the ninth day her statue is carried through the streets and sunk in the river or sea to celebrate her victory, and to symbolize putting an end to bad luck.

In northern India, Navaratri commemorates the hero Rama and his wife Sita with re-enactments of the epic Ramayana.

Gujarat is particularly known for its performance of garba (traditional songs) and dandiyas (the playing of sticks), to accompany religious and folk dances during the festival.

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