Navratri, the festival of nine nights, is a celebration of Shakti or the Mother Divine, also known as Durga or Ambica who destroyed the demon called Mahishasura (symbolising evil) during this period. The motif of this festivity is the victory of good over evil. Goddess Ambica killed Mahishasura on the tenth day and hence the day is celebrated as Dusshera or Vijayadashami.

The other legend says that Lord Ram killed Ravana on the same day and so the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnadh are burnt all over India, which again symbolises the victory of virtue and vanquishing the evil within oneself. The pattern of worshipping the Mother Divine varies from place to place in the country.

Gujarat is famous for its colourful Navratri celebrations with its garba and dandiyarasa dances. The dancers click sticks and clap hands as they dance in a circle around a pot with a lamp known as garb!, which signifies the power of knowledge.

The best feature of this traditional dance is the traditional attire of dhoti-kurta and chania-choli worn by men and women dancing to the high-spirited tunes of folk music accompanied by dholak players. South Indian states celebrate Navratri very differently: the houses are decorated with dolls (Bommai Kolu), rangolis (decorative motifs) and diyas (lamps). Family members get together and worship the wooden dolls by singing traditional songs that depict settings from the two great epics throughout the ten-day celebration.

The families exchange gifts of clothes and sweets during this festival. Navratri is one festival that Wends religion and merriment for ten days and is celebrated with devotion by all sectioof society in India.