Navaratri

Kerala-

Navaratri, which literally translates to nine nights, occurs annually in or October. During these nine days, devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Shakthi/Devi. In the Malayalam calendar, Navaratri is celebrated during the month of "Kanni" (September). This festival is observed differently across various regions of India. In Kerala, the last three days- Durga Ashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadashami- are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and learning.

Navaratri stands as one of the most significant Hindu festivals, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Throughout this period, Durga, Lakshmi & Saraswati are revered as distinct manifestations of Shakti, or cosmic energy. Initially, for the first three days, Durga is invoked as a powerful force to eliminate impurities and vices. Following this, for the next two of days, Lakshmi is worshipped as the giver of spiritual wealth and prosperity.

The final three days focus on venerating Saraswati the goddess of wisdom. To achieve comprehensive success in life, blessings from all three aspects of the divine mother are sought over these nine nights. Specifically, Durgashtami, Mahanavami, and Vijayadasami are considered particularly sacred for Devi worship.

In Kerala’s celebration of Navaratri, various ceremonies take place including Saraswati Puja and Ayudha Puja. On Durgashtami evening, a ceremony called Poojavaipu is conducted where all studies and skilled work are paused prior to it. The subsequent day being Mahanavami is wholly devoted to Saraswati through morning and evening pujas.

On Vijayadasami morning after a puja session, books and tools are ceremonially removed from their rooms in an act known as 'Puja Eduppu'. This marks the resumption of learning & work. Additionally, on Vijayadashami across many temple premises another special event known as Vidyarambham takes place signaling children’s initiation into the realm of knowledge by writing their first alphabets on rice or sand under guidance from elders or teachers.

Certain communities celebrate all Navaratri days by displaying images of gods along with varied animals & toys in an exhibition called ‘Koluvaipu’.

Karnataka-

The vibrant festival widely celebrated throughout the nation that merits special recognition is Navarath, spanning nine days. During this period, three forms of the Goddess Parvathi Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswathi are revered. Inside homes, Kolu an ornate arrangement of idols on metal or wooden steps in odd numbers features decoratively placed effigies of gods and goddesses. The setup begins with representations of flora and fauna on the lower steps, ascending in complexity to humans and deities at the summit, symbolizing the journey to salvation through piety.

In North India, it's referred to as Vasantha Navarathri, Durga Pooja in West Bengal, Kolu in Tamil Nadu, and Dusserah in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

In North India, the grand Durga Pooja festivities and Tamil Nadu’s temple decorations - particularly the extensive Kolu displays - are mesmerizing. At Srirangam, the world’s largest functioning temple complex, visitors can admire an impressive array of Kolu across 35 different stair sets. Similar traditions are observed across many other temples in Tamil Nadu and other states. The nine days are filled with concerts, spiritual talks, and recreational events that foster a spiritual ambiance. Notably, the vibrant rituals and poojas at Kolkata's Kali temple, together with the hundreds of thousands of participants dressed as various incarnations of Goddess Durga in Kulasekaranpattinam, Tamilnadu, and as Goddess Chamundeeswari in Mysuru complete with a procession of beautifully adorned elephants also warrant special mention.

Navaratri concludes with Vijayadasami, symbolizing the triumph of virtue over vice, a timeless truth. The religious festivities significantly reinforce the link between India’s rich historical traditions and its cultural identity.