Navratri Celebration Around India in Different ways and Different Regions

Navratri is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. It is celebrated across India but in different styles. Some celebrate the festival by playing Garba. However, on the other hand, some celebrate it by doing Durga Puja. No matter whichever way people celebrate these 9 auspicious days, the feeling remains the same, which is to welcome and worship Goddess Durga and her nine avatars that saved the world.

India is a diverse nation rich in culture and heritage. The celebration of Navratri in different regions of India is diverse. Celebration of this festival is twice a year and is one of the biggest and most important Hindu festivals. Let us have a look at how the nine days of the Navratri festival are celebrated all across India. Continue reading the blog to find out more about the same.

Navratri Celebration in Northern India

In North India, Navratri marks the win of Lord Rama over the cruel king Ravana. It ends in the festivity of Ramlila, in which people present a play during Dussehra. The models of Ravana and Kumbhakarna are lit on fire. It is to honour the victory of good (Rama) over evil forces on the ‘Vijayadashami’ day.

These days pass with unique pujas, yagnas, fasting, homes, singing, and dancing honouring Mother Divine. It celebrates her entire creation – all forms of life, art, music, and knowledge.

Navratri Celebration in Western India

In Western India, particularly Gujarat, this festival marks the Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. Garba is an elegant form of dance wherein women dance beautifully in circles around a pot having a light. The word ‘Garbha’ or ‘Garba’ means womb, and the light in the pot symbolically depicts life within a womb. Besides the Garba is the Dandiya dance, where everyone participates. It is in pairs with small, decorated bamboo sticks, called dandiyas, in their hands.

“More than the pujas, people enjoy playing Garba, which every Gujarat society and club organises. One can easily find Garba performances in every city and town. People buy new dresses – turbans and kedias for men and chaniya-cholis for women. Some prefer to fast during these days, despite performing Garba every evening.

Navratri Celebration in Eastern India

The last five days of Navratri are Durga Puja in West Bengal and North East India. Devi is visible in her idol with different weapons in her hand, sitting on a lion. The eighth day is the Durgashtami. Exquisitely prepared and decorated life-size clay models of the Goddess Durga. It portrays her slaying the demon Mahishasura in temples and other places. These models are then worshipped for five days and immersed in the river on the fifth day.

They go to different Durga puja pandals. Each has a different theme and vibe and, of course, a gorgeous and life-sized idol of the Goddess Durga. Some pandals are super fancy, with great lighting and sound, while others are more simple and elegant. However, the favourite part of the puja is attending the Maha Aarti every evening with dhol.

Navratri Celebration

Navratri Celebration in Southern India

Navratri is the period to invite friends and neighbours to look at the Kolu in South India— a display of diverse dolls and figurines. In Kannada, this show is Bombe Habba, Bomma Gullu in Malayalam, Bommai Kolu in Tamil, and Bommala Koluvu in Telugu.

This festival is Dasara in Karnataka. During Navratri, people act Yakshagana, a dance in the form of theatres from Puranas. The Mysore Dasara has great pomp and shows the triumph over evil. It is the state festival headed by the royal family of Mysore and their safari.

The 10th day is known as ‘Vijaya Dashami’. The day of “Vidyarambham” in Kerala, where young children step into the world of letters and learning. The southern city of Mysore celebrates Dussehra with grand processions on the streets carrying Goddess Chamundi.