Navratri is one of the major and important festivals, celebrated to worship the Goddess Durga. It is essentially a nine day festival where different nine forms of the DeviDurga (Goddess) are worshipped. The festival is generally celebrated one times in a year (October). Many people observe a fast on this auspicious festival and visit temples to seek the divine blessings. Offering prayers to the Goddess every daygives inner peace to the devotees.
During the nine days, people fast in order to please the Goddess and offer prayers for the prosperity of family and business. The temples and idols of Goddess in various parts of the country are beautifully decorated. Many people either break their fast on the eighth day (Ashtami) or ninth day (Ram Navami). On both these days, KanyaPujan (worshipping girls) is held because they symbolize the Goddess Durga. The girls are given various things to eat such as the halwa, poori, chana, coconut, sweet, money and other gift items. After the KanyaPujan is over, people break their fast. In various places Bhandaras and Jagratas are also organized.
Navratri in Maharashtra:
In the state of Maharashtra, the festival is celebrated with great excitement and fervor. Special Mandals are set up in various parts of the state where the Goddess Durga is worshipped. Most of the Mandals are beautifully decorated according to the different styles or themes. A lot of extensive planning is done to build the Mandals. On the last day of Navratri, the idols that are placed in the Mandals are taken for a procession with people playing colors and dance. The idols are then immersed in the river.