Goddess Durga  

Dussehra, celebrated across South Asia and the diaspora, marks the victory of good over evil. From Nepal to Trinidad and Tobago, communities engage in vibrant rituals, prayers, and cultural performances to honour the goddess Durga.

The goddess Durga is the focus of Navratri, one of India's most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals, a nine-night celebration. Different regions observe the festival, filled with rituals, music, dance, and religious fervour, reflecting the cultural diversity of India. For those seeking to experience Navratri in its traditional essence, here are the top 10 cities where the festival is celebrated with unparalleled zeal and devotion.
 

Mahalaya Amavasya, commonly referred to as Sarva Pitru Amavasya, holds great importance in Hinduism for performing rituals for ancestors. Celebrated during Pitru Paksha, it signifies the beginning of Navratri, the festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.

Maa Kalratri is honored on the seventh day of the Chaitra Navratri festival. This year's Maa Kalratri will be celebrated on April 15, 2024.
 

Shakti Peethas are religious sites of great importance among Hindu devotees. These sites are dedicated to the worship of various forms of Goddess Durga.

During Navratri, the Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine different forms. The second of these is that of Goddess Brahmacharini. This year, in Chaitra Navratri 2024, the ceremony of worship of Maa Brahmacharini (Maa Brahmacharini Puja) is going to take place on April 10, 2024.

Navratri is a nine-day festive during which Goddess Durga is adored and most people fast. Here are 7 vrat recipes that can be prepared and enjoyed during festivals such as Navratri.
 

Hindus begin celebrating Chaitra Navratri on the first day of the luni-solar calendar. On April 9, Chaitra Navratri will observe its inaugural fast. On April 9, Ghat Sthapana will be celebrated from 6:03 a.m. to 10:14 a.m..

If you’re planning to visit Rajasthan, then don’t miss out on exploring these renowned temples.

Many letters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a young man wrote to mother goddess, whom he addressed as 'jagat janani', every night on varied topics will be published in a book form in English next month.

From tales of its origin to connections with Sri Lanka, here are lesser known facts about Dussehra 

A Durga Puja pandal in Orderly Bazar of Varanasi is all set to mesmerise the visitors with its ‘Chandrayaan-2’ theme. The pandal, which is around 100-feet in height, was made in two months.

During this festival, Goddess Durga is invited to come to earth. To welcome Goddess Durga, pandals are erected. Many Durga pandals enthral devotees in Odisha's Bhubaneswar.

Enjoy nine days of celebrations of Navratri with these 5 delicious dishes

Navratri special: An artist has printed a message regarding the abrogation of Article 370 on the garba pots in Rajkot, Gujarat. The aim behind creating this design on earthen pots is that people should live with unity.