Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in the months of October or November to worship the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. The word Navratri means ‘nine nights’.
This festival marks Goddess Durga’s win over the demon Mahishasura and represents victory of peace and dharma over ego and evil.
In our school an idol of Devi Durga is placed on a chaurang decorated with flowers and colourful fabrics. Every day pooja is performed with arati, jogwa and naivedya is offered to Devi. Also children perform ‘Bhondla’ and ‘Garba’ as devotional dances, wearing colourful clothes in front of Devi. This is followed by offering khirapat (secret snacks) to children. Even teachers wear nine different colours of sarees during this festival and enjoy playing Bhondla along with children.
On the tenth day of the festival, the idol of Goddess Durga is carried out in processions and immersed in water.
Nine-day Navratri festival is followed by `Dasara’. The 10th day is celebrated as Vijay Dashami across the country.