How is Sharad Navratri celebrated in different parts of India

Out of the 2 major Navratris that are celebrated in a year - Chaitra and Sharad, Indians are currently celebrating the Sharad Navratri. Falling anywhere between the months of September and October according to the Gregorian calendar, this year Sharad Navratri started on October 3 and will go on till October 12.

All over India, from South to North, people engage in different kinds of rituals with regional variations. While in some states people sculpt and decorate elaborate idols of Maa Durga, in others small silver idols of Maa Durga are installed in the home temple.

At the heart of Sharad Navratri is people’s will to love and honour Maa Durga for the great deed she did for humanity. According to one of the most popular legends, when Mahishasura became blind with his power and there were no checks and balances to his acts, the Gods grew worried. A boon he received made him immune to attacks by the strongest men and Gods, and so wreaked havoc through the 3 worlds.

And to protect humanity. Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva came together to form Maa Durga, the divine feminine who fought with Mahishasura for 9 nights and finally defeated him on Vijayadashmi.

Different states have different ways to honour Maa Durga, her arrival, her battle over evil, and her ultimate victory. And in West Bengal, people celebrate Maa Durga through Durga Puja, or ‘Pujo’ as some call it. It is a grand celebration with huge pandals, beautiful idols of Maa Durga, the sound of bells and chants from all over, and decorations that instantly catch people’s eyes. And more.
Some famous rituals during Durga puja are - Pushpanjali, Sindoor khela, and eventual immersing of the idol of Maa Durga.

In the state of Gujarat, Sharad Navratri is celebrated with Garba and Dandiya. In the 9 nights of Navratri, the streets of Gujarat, and now Delhi too, are filled with people dressed in bright ethnic clothes with Dandiya in hand, glimmer in their eyes, and the energy to dance their hearts out to welcome Maa Durga.

Another beautiful occurrence during Navratri is the Mysuru Dussehra. It is undoubtedly one of the most grand festivals in Mysore, and the energy of people is unmatched.
During the Mysuru Dussehra, the royal family worships Maa Chamundeshwari, the form of Durga who finished Mahishasura and also worships the royal sword which is a symbol of honour and protection. There is traditional music, performances, and tableaux (Jhanki) that adds to the grand celebration.

In many parts of India, Sharad Navratri is also accompanied by Ramleela enactments. As Vijaydashmi and Dussehra both are meant to celebrate the victory of good over evil, the win of Lord Ram over the demon King Ravan is also celebrated and glorified. People take on the roles of Lord Ram, Lakshman, Ravan, Mata Sita, Hanuman, and other Ramayan characters and enact it live on stage for 9 days. And then for the 10th day, Dussehra, huge effigies of Ravan are burnt to proclaim victory over evil.

In Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and other states ‘Kanjak puja’ is observed on the Ashtami or Navmi date of Navratri. ‘Kanjaks’ are young girls who are seen as a symbol of Maa Durga, her energy, her purity, and her innocent nature. People give Kanjaks food, gifts, clothes, money, and more, and ask for their ‘Ashirwaad’ or blessings before they leave.
A simple prasad of Puri, chana, and halwa is prepared for the Kanjaks, and it marks the end of Navratri celebrations.

In the many different ways through which people celebrate Navratri, one thing is common - the love, respect, and honour for Maa Durga. Be it through the pandals of Maa Durga, with huge idols, or the Kanya pujan in the last days to celebrate her qualities, people’s love for Maa Durga’s motherly qualities, and respect for her powers is observed in every ritual performed.