Kalash, nine forms, fasting, garba and Dussehra, in photos.
Garba on a Navratri night. Photo: Saurabh sirohiya, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
A water-filled kalash is installed as the seat of the Goddess, often over soil sown with barley that sprouts through the nine days.
A kalash (ghat) with a lamp, leaves and flowers, set up for worship. Photo: Ashish Suryavanshi858, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.
One form of the Goddess each day, from Shailaputri, daughter of the mountain, to Siddhidatri, giver of fulfilment.
The nine forms of Durga, the Navadurga, at a Durga Puja pandal. Photo: AjayDas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Many give up grains, onion and garlic, and eat fruit, dairy, potatoes and flours like kuttu and singhara. Rules differ by family.
Sabudana khichdi, a common Navratri fasting food. Photo: Mrudit161187, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Gujarat's circle dance, around a clay lamp that stands for life and the Goddess.
Garba on a Navratri night. Photo: Saurabh sirohiya, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Danced in pairs with decorated sticks, and linked to Krishna's raas.
Dandiya raas, danced with pairs of sticks. Photo: Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Young girls are honoured as the Goddess, their feet washed, and fed puri, chana and halwa.
Girls are fed and honoured as the goddess in Kanya Pujan. Photo: Nvstudio989, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Good over evil: Ravana's effigies burn in north India, and Bengal bids Durga farewell on Bijoya Dashami.
Effigies of Ravana and his brothers before Ravan Dahan on Dussehra. Photo: Thesocialtalks, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.
What Navratri means, when Sharad Navratri 2026 falls, its rituals (ghatasthapana, Navadurga, fasting, garba) and how it differs from Bengal's Durga Puja.
Navratri 2026 → Next story: Bengal's festival season, from Vishwakarma to Jagaddhatri All photo storiesMusic: Garba dance during Navaratri festival in Mehsana Gujarat India, Nizil Shah, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.