| 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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