Nine Nights, One Nation: Navaratri’s Unity in Diversity

India may be demarcated by regional and state borders, but it will forever stand united through the common threads of belief and traditions that weave its people’s hearts together. It is like a heartwarming painting that beams with happiness; our festivals being the vibrant colours that make this painting come alive. Every stroke on this canvas represents the love, unity, and resilience of our people, creating a masterpiece that truly touches the soul.

Navaratri is one such colour that reflects the beauty of our nation and the stories of our lives, forever etched with the heartfelt emotions of our diverse and vibrant culture. This festival is marked by different customs and traditions observed throughout India, yet it remains bound together by a shared belief: the unwavering conviction that truth shall always triumph over falsehood, and goodness shall ultimately conquer evil.

Let’s celebrate this exquisite revelry by taking view of the customs that are followed in various regions of the nation.

Navaratri Festivities in Eastern India

West Bengal: Navaratri in West Bengal is celebrated as Durga Puja during the final five days of Sharad Navaratri. It is a grand festival that marks the homecoming of Goddess Durga. Elaborate idols of the Goddess are created and worshipped with immense devotion. Pandals are set up across the state, each with unique artistic designs of life-size clay idols of Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura. Traditional dance forms like Dhunuchi-Naach and Dhaak (drum) performances are integral parts of the celebrations. The festival culminates in Vijaya Dashami when idols are immersed in rivers amidst huge processions.

Assam: In Assam, Navaratri is celebrated as Durga Puja as well, with special emphasis on the clay idols of the Goddess. The festival coincides with Bihu and people engage in traditional dance performances like Bihu and Sattriya. The immersion of idols on Dashami is followed by traditional community feasts.

Bihar: In Bihar, Navaratri is celebrated by worshiping the Goddess as the supreme power. Durga-sapshati (a Hindu philosophical text describing the goddess) is recited twice a day for 10 days. The festival concludes with the worship of young girls as embodiments of the goddess, known as ‘Kanya Puja’. These girls are offered food, gifts, and blessings.

Navaratri Festivities in Western India

Gujarat: Gujarat is renowned for its vibrant garba and dandiya raas dance performances during Navaratri. People dress in traditional attire, women wearing ghagra-cholis and men in kediyu dance in large circles to the rhythmic beats of folk music. The garba nights are filled with energy and enthusiasm, and the most famous garba venues are in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Maharashtra: In this state, Navaratri is marked by the performance of the traditional lavani dance. Additionally, people celebrate the festival with the installation of idols of Durga in homes and temples. The city of Pune, in particular, is known for its grand processions and immersion of idols on the tenth day, also known as ‘Visarjan.’

Navaratri Festivities in Northern India

Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh and especially in the city of Varanasi, Navaratri is celebrated with grand processions and the recitation of devotional songs dedicated to Goddess Durga. The Ramlila performances, depicting the life of Lord Rama, are an integral part of the festivities.

Punjab and Haryana: In these states, Navaratri is celebrated with much enthusiasm. The festival involves a seven-day fasting period, which culminates on the eighth day by worshiping young girls as the Goddess’s embodiment and offering them a meal called kanjak. The worship of Durga is followed by distributing prasad to devotees.

Navaratri Festivities in Southern India

Tamil Nadu: Here, Navaratri is celebrated as Golu or Bommai Golu. Families set up elaborate displays of dolls and figurines representing gods, goddesses, and various aspects of life. Visitors are invited to see these displays, and young girls are given gifts and sweets. The festival is also celebrated with traditional music and dance performances.

Karnataka: In Karnataka, Navaratri is known as Dasara. During these nine nights, Yakshagana, which involves night-long performances of epic dramas from Puranas, takes centrestage. The grand celebration of Mysore Dasara symbolises the victory of good over evil and is marked with great splendor. This state festival is organised under the auspices of the royal family of Mysore and is famous for its majestic procession known as “jumbo savari.”

Kerala: In Kerala, the last three days of Navaratri are celebrated as Saraswati Puja. On the 10th day, known as ‘Vijaya Dashami,’ or “Vidyaarambam,” children are initiated into the world of education. Books and tools are placed in front of the goddess Saraswati, and children seek her blessings to excel in their studies.

Truly, Navaratri paints a vivid picture of unity in diversity. It’s a festival celebrated with myriad customs and traditions, yet it remains bound together by a shared belief in the triumph of truth and goodness. As the idols of Durga are immersed in rivers, symbolising her return to the heavens, we are reminded that while Navaratri may conclude, the enduring spirit of unity, joy, and reverence for the divine continues to shine brightly in the hearts of the Indian people throughout the year. Indeed, it is a time when India’s many colours blend into a harmonious masterpiece of culture and devotion, leaving a mark on the canvas of our collective identity.