Pan-India · September–October · Garba • Devi Puja • Golu
Navratri
Nine Nights of the Divine Feminine
Tags: Navratri · Garba · Dandiya Raas · Gujarat Festival · Golu · Bommai Kolu · Goddess Durga · Hindu Festivals · Indian Festivals
**Navratri** — literally "nine nights" — appears in remarkably different forms across India.
Together with **Dussehra** on the tenth day, it forms one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festival seasons.
Gujarat — Garba and Dandiya Raas
In Gujarat, enormous **Garba** and **Dandiya Raas** gatherings turn nights into communal dance celebrations.
Traditional chaniya-choli and kediyu costumes fill dance grounds. Live singers and orchestras perform till dawn. Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot host massive commercial Garba events attracting international visitors.
Regional Variations
**South India** — Families create elaborate **Golu** (Bommai Kolu) displays of dolls arranged on stepped platforms.
**North India** — **Ram Lila** performances of the Ramayana lead up to Dussehra.
**Eastern India** — The latter part of the season becomes **Durga Puja**.
**Karnataka** — **Mysuru Dasara** is one of India's great royal festival traditions.
Related articles
Related
- Durga Puja — Bengal's grand goddess festival.
- Dussehra — The tenth day.