Navratri Festival

 Navaratri is one of the primary festivals of India.The nine nights came to be known as Navratri, while the tenth day was called Vijaya dasami, the day that brought the triumph of good over the evil. The festival Navratri is known throughout the country as Dussehra, Ram Lila and Durga Puja.

According to mythology, Mahishasura, the mighty demon with the power to change into a buffalo obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that he could not be killed by any man in the world. Puffed up by the protection of the boon, Mahishasura set out to conquer the three worlds of heaven, earth and hell and drove away Indra and other deities from their kingdom. To protect the world from his atrocities the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva united their powers to give birth to a female warrior-goddess Durga. Dazzled by the divine beauty, Mahishasura proposed the Goddess for marriage but was instead challenged to a duel that went on for nine days and nights and at last, resulted in the beheading of Mahisa on the tenth.

Goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga are honored during the Navaratri celebrations. Respectively they embody the qualities wealth, wisdom, and strength. Women construct kolu, intricate dolls of clay or wood that are assembled in a display that conveys a religious theme or social commentary. They visit each other's homes, feasting and singing songs about the goddesses. On the ninth day of Navaratri, educational materials, musical instruments, tools and vehicles are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in a puja ceremony. The concluding tenth day of Vijayadasami marks Durga's victory over the demons and the soul's attainment of spiritual union with the divine.

It is the most auspicious day of the year for beginning new endeavors, especially in learning and the arts.