Celebrating Navaratri: How 9 forms of Goddess Durga are celebrated across different Indian States

Navaratri: Nine Nights festivals

Navaratri is a major Hindu festival which is celebrated in honour of Goddess Durga, who is also known as Adi Param Shakti. Navaratri spans over 9 days and is celebrated in the months of Ashwin and Chaitra months every year. India is a land of diverse traditions, due to which this festival is celebrated differently in various parts of India. Navratri is a celebration of divine feminine energy where Goddess Durga is worshipped for 9 days and 9 nights.

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Navratri is celebrated to commemorate the epic battle between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Devotees worship Goddess Durga, day and night to seek her blessing and protection. India is a mix of different states with diverse cultural traditions infused with unique attire, local dance, ritual and celebrations. This blog will focus on how Navaratri is celebrated in different states in India. Natriel offers a wide range of products from Pooja Thali sets to Idols, which are curated keeping in view of the Navaratri Celebration.

Nine forms of Durga

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1. Shailaputri – Shailaputri is the daughter of Lord Himalaya, she holds a trident in her right and a lotus in her left hand. As per legend, Himalaya and his wife Menaka performed austerities, which led to the birth of the divine mother as their daughter. She is worshipped on the first day of Navaratri, to invoke the blessing of strength, purity, and spiritual awakening.
2. Brahmacharini – Brahmacharini is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri. In this form, the Goddess holds a rosary (mala) in her right hand and a holy water pot (kamandal) in her left hand. She performs deep penance (tapasya) on the advice of Narada Muni to attain Shiva as her consort. She is a symbol of knowledge and spirituality. She helps people in overcoming obstacles and seeking good fortune. 
3. Chandraghanta – Chandraghanta adorns a crescent moon, a third eye on the head with ten hands. She is holding trident (trishul), mace (gada), sword, and water pot (kamandal) in her hands and rides the lion. She is a symbol of power and courage and teaches us to be brave and fearless in life. 
4. Kushmanda – Kushmanda has 8 hands in which she holds weapons and a rosary. She has created the universe and resides in the Sun. She rides a tiger and represents dharma and justice. Devotees invoke her blessing for health, wealth and prosperity. 
5. Skandamata - Skandamata is the goddess of War and has four arms. She is holding a lotus in her hand and sitting on a lotus with her infant son Skanda. She is a symbol of motherhood, spiritual journey and purity. Skandamata brings peace, wisdom, contentment and fulfils all your desires. As per legend, she was born to destroy the Taraksura demon. 
6. Katyayani - Katyayani is a manifestation of Goddess Durga, who is known for her wrath against evil. She has four arms which hold a sword and a lotus in a sitting in Abhay Mudra. She was born from the anger of the trinity to destroy demonic forces and negative energy. 
7. Kalaratri - She is the fiercest form of Durga that symbolizes the victory of divine light over ignorance and darkness. People worship her to destroy evil, remove obstacles and provide spiritual liberation. She has a dark complexion, three eyes, flowing hair and sits on a donkey. As per legend, she appeared to destroy Raktabeej demon. 
8. Mahagauri - She is the goddess of peace, grace and purity. She has a pure white complexion, which is attained after strong penance. Goddess Parvati has regained her original beauty after going through a period of dark transformation. She has four arms, of which two hold a trident and tambourine. Her other two hands are bestowing boons and blessing her devotees.
9. Siddhidatri - She is the final form of Navdurga who has four hands that hold lotus, mace, chakra and conch. She bestows blessings of peace, success and fulfilment to her followers. As her name suggests, she originated from the left side of Shiva and provides siddhi (supernatural powers).

Celebration of Navaratri in different states of India

• West Bengal – Durga Puja and Pandal

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In West Bengal, Durga Puja is considered the most important religious event. This festival is celebrated for the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura demon. This festival starts on the 6th day of the Navaratri, where devotees worship Durga by performing rituals designated by priests. They offer fruit, flowers, incense and sandalwood to the goddess and chant mantras to appease her. Makeshift structures of the goddess are made, that are adorned with the Goddess Durga image with meticulous artwork and stylistic themes. It is made from local craft material, imitation jewelery and terracotta ornamentation.

Navaratri signifies the elimination of evil energy by feminine energy, which establishes peace and righteousness in the universe. Devotees observe a strict fast for 9 days to please the goddess. In the last 3 days, devotees visited elaborate pandals adorned with a sizeable statue of Durga. They perform Dhunuchi Naach with incense pots to appease the goddess. On Vijaya Dashmi, Durga statues are immersed in the water, which signifies the return of the goddess to heaven. 

• Gujarat – Garba Dandiya (Katyayani)

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Gujarat celebrates Navaratri by performing Garba raas and Dandiya in honor of Goddess. Every night, the ritual starts with the puja of Ambe Mata, in which Garbo is placed in the centre, which is a symbol of the goddess. People perform aarti and chant prayers while many keep fast and maintain a satvik lifestyle for 9 days.

Traditionally, Garba is performed with an earthen pot with holes on the side that reveal a flame inside, whereas in Dandiya, people take a decorated dandiya stick and perform with a partner in concentric circle. They wear colorful traditional clothes where girls wear mirror work Chaniya choli and men wear vibrant Kediyu and dhoti sets. In large community participation, people dance day and night with rhythmic clapping, live drumbeats and singing. 

• Maharashtra – Golu displays

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In Maharashtra, various households arrange Golu dolls & figurines on multi-tier steps in their home, which represent deities from folklore. This cultural ritual is rooted in myths and devotion to the Goddess Durga, where each tier represents different mythological stories. Neighbours visit each other's homes to watch Golu display and exchange sweets to strengthen their social bond.

Golu is an interactive way for elders to educate young generations about divine figures. A pot is placed on the top, which symbolises divine presence, while prominent gods such as Ganesha, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Vishnu occupy central tiers, while supporting figures are placed below. 

• Karnataka – Yakshagana

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In Karnataka, Yakshagana is a traditional folk theatre form which involves dramatic storytelling. It is an immersive experience of myth, drama and devotion which has been passed down for 400 years. People do make-up, wear costumes and perform dances to traditional music. It is performed on the stories from the Hindi epics Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana and Mahabharata. It is often performed in temples or village fairs where the focus is on encouraging moral values and devotional thoughts via storytelling. These tales are dramatized using exaggerated characters, spontaneous improvisation and lively interactions to keep the audience engaged.

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Mysore Dasara, known as Nada Habba, is a 10-day festival which is celebrated in Karnataka. It includes elephant processions adorning a gold howdah, vibrant cultural performances, public festivities, theatrical performances and exhibitions. Yakshagana is performed during Mysore Dasara adding vibrant and cultural dimensions to the grand celebrations. 

• Tamil Nadu – Kolu Doll Display

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Kolu display is a festive arrangement of dolls in Tamil Nadu, which is like the Golu display in Maharashtra. This display represents different layers of life, evolution and cosmos, which is set during the 9 nights of Navaratri. It is arranged from top (spiritual) to bottom (worldly). It displays Gods and Goddesses like Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Dashavatar. People visit each other's homes, and women sing devotional songs. On the 10th day, these Kolu displays are dismantled, which marks the end of the festivities. 

• Uttar Pradesh – Ram Leela performance and Kanya Poojan

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In Uttar Pradesh, large-scale re-enactments of Ramayana take place for 9 days across towns and villages. On the 10th day, Dusshera ends with burning Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran effigies, which signifies the victory of good over evil. Ayodhya is the native city of Ram, which is why there is much excitement over Ram Leela in UP.

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Kanya Puja – Navaratri starts from Ghatasthapana, which marks the start of Navratri, and people perform rituals for 9 days while worshipping the goddess. On the 8th or 9th days, they offer food and gifts to 9 young girls, which symbolizes 9 forms of Durga, that is a gesture of the divine feminine. They also fast for 9 days and visit temples to seek the blessing of the goddess. 

• Himachal Pradesh – Kullu Dussehra

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Kullu Dussehra was started by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century. It is celebrated in Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh on Vijay Dashmi. This festival is centered around Lord Ram (Raghunath), which includes a grand rath yatra. Over 200 local deities from surrounding villages join the procession, which is known as Dev Milaan. This festival does not include the burning of the Ravana effigy, but the focus is on divine unity, harmony and cultural heritage. It spans 7 days, which draws crowds to rich folk music and dances in vibrant fairs. 

• Punjab – Mata Jagran, Folk Dance and Fasting

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In Punjab, Navratri is celebrated with a mix of devotion and excitement. Devotees fast for 9 days and worship 9 forms of the goddess during Navaratri. People organize Mata Chowki in various parts of the state and sing devotional songs (bhajan) the whole night in Jagraata. They dance traditional folk dances like Bhangra and Gidda in front of the goddess. Dandiya nights have become a popular trend and are now widely organised in urban areas, which brings the community together. Navratri is concluded with Kanya Poojan by offering them food and sweets. 

• Madhya Pradesh – Local fair and community Pooja

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In Madhya Pradesh, community pooja is organized in neighborhoods and towns to worship the 9 forms of the Goddess. Public pandals display elaborate Durga idols in various cities like Ujjain, Bhopal and Indore. Local fairs are organized around the pandals, which include food stalls, folk performances, handicrafts exhibitions and traditional games. People visit spiritual pilgrimage sites such as the Mahakaleshwar temple and Pitambar Peeth to seek divine blessings. Fasting, Kanya pooja, Garba Raas and Dandiya nights have become a common sight. 

• Telangana- Bathukamma

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In Telangana, the Bathukamma is celebrated, where women create beautiful flower arrangements using seasonal blooms like marigold, celosia and lotus. Bathukamma means Mother Goddess comes alive which is a symbol of prosperity. Each evening during a 9-day festival, women gather and create floral creations, sing folk songs and dance to honor Goddess Gauri while strengthening community bonds. On the last day, these Bathukammas are set afloat in water bodies symbolizing harmony with nature. 

• Kerala - Poojavaippu and Puja Eduppu

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Kerala celebrates Navaratri with special focus on Goddess Saraswati, who is the goddess of knowledge and learning. On Ashtami, temples and festivals conduct Poojavaippu, where books and instruments are placed before Goddess Saraswati. It ends with Vijaya Dashmi, in which Puja Eduppu is performed, which includes the removal of books and instruments. It marks the resumption of learning and makes it auspicious to pursue educational and creative endeavours.

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On Vijaya Dashmi, Vidyarambham is performed where a child learns to write with the help of elders. Many people host the Navaratri Music festival or Navaratri Sangeethotsavam that feature Carnatic performances, hymns of ragas and devotional recitals in candlelit mandapams. 

• Rajasthan – Kalash Sthapana, Vrat and Kanya Poojan

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In Rajasthan, people worship the goddess Durga and observe a fast for 9 days to show their devotion to the goddess. It starts from Kalash Sthapana and involves performing austerities to appease the Goddess. In various cities, Garba Raas and Dandiya are performed for 9 days in honour of the goddess. Various places observe Ram Leela performances for 9 days, which end with the burning of a Ravana effigy. People visit fairs and pilgrimage spots like Shila Mata Mandir to seek the blessing of the goddess and perform austerities. People perform traditional dances like Ghoomar in colourful attire, captivating audiences with vibrant music and graceful movements.

Common themes across states

India’s cultural diversity is reflected in the wide variety of rituals and traditions observed across states. Over time, common themes have emerged across states. Each states brings its unique tradition to the festival, like Durga Pooja in West Bengal, Bathukamma in Telangana and Bommai Golu (Koluvu) in Tamil Nadu which highlight cultural richness of Navratri across India. Navratri has become a way for community bonding, that brings people together in joyful participation in religious activities.

Fasting, kanya pujan and other spiritual practices are common in the whole country. It is spectacular to see Durga pandals with grand Goddess Idols on display in different cities. Garba and Dandiya night are common in almost the whole country as people dance for the last 3 days in honour of the goddess. Navratri concludes with Dusshera, where the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakaran are burned to mark the victory of good over evil. These practices may be different, but the goal is to show devotion to the goddess.

Explore Navaratri products on Natriel

Natriel offers beautiful, crafted Brass idols and decor pieces of Goddess Durga, along with a box set which is designed to worship during Navratri. Natriel also offers pooja essentials such as Pooja thali, Ashtalakshmi Kalash, Charan Paduka set, Shankh, Diya, Diya stand, Chopada, Floating candles, incense burner, etc.

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