Navratri In Different Forms:

The festival of Navratri is devoted solely to the mother goddess who is known by different names in different parts of the country. She is known as Durga, Amba, Bhavani, Chandika, Parvati, Gauri and Mahishasuramardini. There are many other manifestations of the mother goddess that are worshipped by the people.

The name Durga symbolizes inaccessible powers and she is considered to be the personification of shakti or the energy of Lord Shiva who is the destroyer and the judge. Goddess Durga represents the most furious powers of all the male gods. She is the destroyer of evil who brings an end to the evil to provide protection to the righteous. Durga is the Maa of all people and she rides a lion. She carries all kinds of weapons in her arms to kill the evil and protect the innocent.

The festival of Navratri is celebrated in different forms in different parts of the country. For example, this is celebrated as Durga Puja in the eastern part of the country. Goddess Durga is worshipped along with Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kartikeya through community worships. On the tenth day, the statues are taken out from the mandaps and taken to nearby river or sea for immersion.

The people in western India, specially Gujarat celebrate Navraties by dancing and enjoying at the beats of garba. People dance with the help of small decorated dandiya sticks.