Durga Puja starts off across country

For the Hindu community, Durga Puja is an important religious festival.

It includes the Navaratri which is celebrated during the nine (Nava) nights (Ratri) of the puratasi month, which refers to mid-September and October.

Considered by devotees as the mother of the universe, Goddess Durga represents the infinite power of the universe while being a symbol of the dynamism of women.

Durga Puja is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil. Every evening, a special ceremony is dedicated to Goddess Durga. During these nine nights, devotees worship the universal Mother through prayer ceremonies and sacred songs.

During Navaratri, devotees worship the supreme energy in three ways which are Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati.

The first three nights are dedicated to Mahakali and prayers are offered to summon strength, health and a pure mind.

For the following three nights, dedicated to Mahalakshmi, prayers are offered for prosperity, beauty and peace, and the last three nights are for Mahasaraswati, where devotees pray for refinement in arts, culture and education.

The tenth day, the Vijayada Dasami, commemorates the victory of the goddess over the demon Mahisasura.