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Navratri
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Women in colorful, traditional embroidered dresses dance garba in a lively crowd during the Navratri festival at night in Mahavir Nagar, Mumbai, India. Durga Puja Garba A plate with servings of poori, sooji halwa, and sookhe kale chane, each portion garnished with pieces of coconut, arranged for Navratri festival prasad. Large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkaran, and Meghanad stand illuminated at dusk, with one effigy engulfed in flames and fireworks as people watch during Dussehra festival in New Delhi.
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Women in colorful, traditional embroidered dresses dance garba in a lively crowd during the Navratri festival at night in Mahavir Nagar, Mumbai, India.
Navratri Women perform the traditional garba dance during Navratri celebrations in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Navratri

Hindu festival
Also known as: Navaratri, Sharad Navratri
Written by
Tamanna Nangia
Tamanna Nangia is Associate Editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over five years of experience in editorial processes, handling many different aspects of the publishing process: content development,...
Tamanna Nangia
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Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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•History

Navratri, in Hinduism, a nine-day festival held in honor of the divine feminine. The term navratri originates from two Sanskrit words: nava meaning “nine” and ratri meaning “night.” As the name suggests, the festival lasts for nine nights. Navratri is dedicated to the worship of goddess Durga and her nine forms, each symbolizing different qualities such as strength, wisdom, courage, devotion, and protection. During these nine days, people pray, fast, and participate in traditional music...

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