This year's Sharad Navratri begins on September 21st and is celebrated
through Sept. 30th. During this festival of the nine nights, nine forms of the
Mother Goddess Shakti/Devi are honored. Each region in India celebrates this
festival according to their own tradition, but in some areas three days each are
dedicated to Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, respectively. This holiday culminates
on the 10th day with the observance of Vijayadashami.
(Garba dance photo, copyright H. Jadeja.)
