Navaratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra For the 1964 film, see Navarathri (1964 film) . For the 1966 film, see Navaratri (1966 film) . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navaratri Navratri is celebrated differently in India’s various regions. For many people it is a time of religious reflection and fasting, while for others it is a time for dancing and feasting. Among fasting customs are observing a strict vegetarian diet and abstaining from alcohol and certain spices. Dances performed include garba , especially in Gujarat . Typically, the festival’s nine nights are dedicated to different aspects of the divine feminine principle, or shakti . While the pattern varies somewhat by region, generally the first third of the festival focuses on aspects of the goddess Durga , the second third on the goddess Lakshmi , and the final third on the goddess Sarasvati . Offerings are often made to the goddesses and their various aspects, and rit...