What is Navratri and why it is celebrated across India?

For many, Navratri has been a culture and social festival which represents family get-togethers and celebration of various performances in the form of arts which is celebrated for 9 days. Before we began to understand the meaning of Dussehra celebration across the country, let us talk about Navratri. The word Navaratri means “nine nights” in Sanskrit. As we know, Nava means nine and Ratri means night. As per the Hindu mythology, Navratri falls four times in a year and this festival is celebrated for 9 days to different gods and goddess for their achievements in various forms. Navratri extends to various gods and goddess such as goddess Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, gods such as Ganesha, Rama, Kartikeya, Shiva and Krishna who are regionally worshipped. The two most celebrated Navarathri’ is called as Sharada Navaratri and  Vasanta Navaratri. In many regions, the Navratri falls after the spring harvest and in others, it falls between the Spring season.  During Vasanta Navaratri the Divine Mother or goddess Devi is worshipped to celebrate her praise, eternal blessing and her blessing for all the divine wealth.Sharada Navaratri is the most commonly celebrated festival among the four Navaratri and the word “Sharada” means autumn. The Sharada Navaratri starts on the first day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Ashvini which in the month of September-October during which Dussehra is celebrated across the country.