Navratri means nine nights in Sanskrit and each day is dedicated to one of the nine goddesses - Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda, Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Navratri is celebrated five times a year - Vasanta Navratri, Ashadha Navratri, Sharadiya Navratri, Paush Navratri, and Magha Navratri. Sharadiya and Vasanta Navratri are celebrated across the country. Vasanta Navratri is celebrated in the month of March and April and Sharadiya Navratri i.e., Maha Navratri falls in the month of September and October. Sharadiya Navratri is celebrated during the Sharad mass (month) and marks the onset of winter, the date of which depends on the Hindi lunar calendar. Ghatasthapana is one of the most important rituals of Navratri. An urn is filled with water and placed in front of the Goddess Durga’s idol. This ritual symbolises the invocation of the goddess. Another important ritual is of ‘Akhand Diya’, where the lamp is kept lit round the clock, throughout the nine days. People start their fast after this ritual and offer prayers to the goddess for nine consecutive days. On the tenth day, nine girls are worshipped at home, and they represent the nine goddesses that are worshipped during Navratras.