Navaratri / Dasara (నవరాత్రి)
Ashwin · Sep-Oct · Pan-India
Nine sacred nights dedicated to the Divine Feminine, celebrated in dramatically different ways across India but always with tremendous devotion. In Telugu states, the signature tradition is Bommala Koluvu: families arrange elaborate displays of dolls and figurines on wooden steps (usually 7, 9, or 11 tiers). These displays tell stories from mythology, depict scenes of daily life, and showcase family heirlooms passed down through generations. Neighbors visit each other's homes to admire the Koluvu and are offered sundal (spiced lentils) and prasadam. Each of the nine nights is associated with a different form of the goddess: the first three nights honor Durga (the warrior), the next three honor Lakshmi (prosperity), and the final three honor Saraswati (knowledge). In Gujarat, Navaratri means Garba and Dandiya Raas, where thousands of people dance in spinning circles with decorated sticks, often until late into the night. In Bengal, these nine nights lead into Durga Puja, the grandest celebration of the region. The ninth day is Saraswati Puja, when families place books, musical instruments, and tools of their trade before the goddess for blessings. Students are not supposed to study on this day, as their books are "resting" with the goddess. The tenth day, Dussehra (also called Vijayadashami), marks Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana and Durga's defeat of Mahishasura. In North India, enormous effigies of Ravana are burned. Vijayadashami is considered the single most auspicious day to start anything new: a business, a course of study, learning a musical instrument, or beginning a journey.
Why it matters
Celebrates the goddess in her three forms (Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati) over nine nights, culminating in Vijayadashami, the day of victory. It marks both Durga defeating Mahishasura and Rama defeating Ravana, and is considered the most auspicious day to begin something new.
Traditions
- Bommala Koluvu doll display (Telugu)
- Garba and Dandiya dancing (Gujarat)
- Saraswati Puja on the ninth day
- Dussehra: burning Ravana effigies
- Starting new learning on Vijayadashami
Dates
- 2025: 2025-09-22 to 2025-10-02
- 2026: 2026-10-11 to 2026-10-21
- 2027: 2027-09-30 to 2027-10-10