INTRODUCTION : 
Navaratri is an ancient festival, dedicated to Ma Durga, and it would be celebrated for a period of ten days. This festival usually falls during September - October.
This festival is also known as the Durga Puja, and it is celebrated in order to praise Ma Durga for killing the dreaded demons and for maintaining peace and prosperity in the universe. Devotees of Durga used to observe fasting during the Navaratri festival days, in order to show their great love and affection on Ma Durga. Durga Devi temples would be decorated in a grand manner, and afternoon food would be served to the devotees in a pleasing manner during the Navaratri festival days.
This festival is celebrated since ancient times, and the celebration of this festival is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya, Purana of Mata Durga Devi.
On the last two days, Saraswati Puja and Vijayadasami festival would be celebrated. During that time, in most of the organizations, puja would be done to Mata Durga and Saraswati Devi, and Prasad would be offered to their staffs along with some gifts. In North India, the idol of Durga Devi would be immersed in the sea or river during the Vijayadasami festival day.
Some devotees would eat grand feast in their homes during the Navaratri festival days, after the performance of Durga Puja, whereas some devotees would observe fasting, and they used to consume only fruits, fruit juice and milk during the entire ten days of Navaratri festival days.
During the Durga Puja, reading the sacred text, Devi Mahatmya is very good, and it would give us good knowledge, wisdom, courage and good memory power. Tamil devotees would keep the Golu dolls in their homes during the Navaratri festival days, and small children in the homes of the devotees would play with the dolls. Various types of Sundal dishes would be prepared by the devotees, and after the performance of the puja, it would be shared with their neighbors, friends and relatives.
Worshiping the holy mother on the Navaratri festival days would bring happiness in our lives, and all of our problems including our diseases would be removed from our body, and we would get more interest in running our life.
“OM”
SENT BY
R.HARISHANKAR
