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Navratri ranks among the well known festivals in India and is celebrated by the people of the Hindu religion. It is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in various forms and names and is celebrated to pay respects to Goddess Shakti, the Mother Goddess.
Navratri festival is mainly a festival of dance and worship. It is a nine day festival and comes from nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine days, nine forms of Goddess Shakti are worshipped. As per the Hindu calendar, Navratri starts from the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin towards the end of the rainy season. The festival takes place in the period between the months of September and October.
There are three main types of Navratri festival which are celebrated in various parts of the country. Some of them are Sharad Navaratri, Vasant Navaratri and Ashada Navaratri. The festival is celebrated among all people irrespective of age, caste and creed. People celebrate this festival by visiting temples and offering pujas to the Mother Goddess.
In states like West Bengal and eastern India, homage is paid to the mother Goddess in the form of Durga. The pandals are designed and decorated according to various themes and cultures. Durga Puja is a fine example of the rich culture, heritage and liveliness of West Bengal. To celebrate the festival, people of all age groups wear new clothes and celebrate to the fullest.
On the last day of Navratri, people meet each other and exchange greetings and young people pay their respects to the elders. People exchange gifts and sweets among each other.
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