Navaratri is nine day long festival in Hindu culture as nine forms of Maa Durga are worshipped on this occasion. In most part of the country, this festival is celebrated with great reverence and devotion. In state of west Bengal, extreme celebrations can be seen.
On the very first day, idol of Maa Durga are placed. In west Bengal people buy idols made of clay as they will be immersed in water when nine days are over. In other parts of country, people generally keeps poster of Maa Durga. And temple is decorated with flowers, lights etc. Since it takes time for decorating, so people wake up early in the morning. Material required for decorations are brought form the market in advance. They include lights, flowers, paper decorating material, chunri, Mago tree leaves etc.
Placing Kalash is considered very auspicious and it is kept for nine days with a nariyal over it. And then after all sorts of decorations, morning prayers are carried. Some people keep fast on first and last day of this festival, while some keep for all the nine days. In the afternoon and evening time, Kirtans are organized at several places. In Kirtan, one person organizes the whole setup and it is dedicated to Maa Durga. Other people can also contribute in it. In kritans, first lots of songs for Maa Durga are chanted and then in the last aarti is organized.
In state of Gujarat Ghrabha or Dandiya is famous during these days. In night, men and women, dance on the songs, with two sticks in their hands. Now this culture is seen in other parts of India also. In West Bengal, people perform ‘Dhunuchi Nritya’, which is quite popular there. In various places, Jagran are organized and on this event, people don’t sleep the whole night. Songs, stories, play etc are performed on this occasion. By doing so people venerate the goddesses Durga and take blessings of her.