What Is Navaratri, the Hindu Festival of Nine Nights?

INDIA, September 22, 2025 (RNS): Monday marked the start of Navaratri, a vibrant, nine-night Hindu festival dedicated to the Divine Feminine in all her forms. Hindus will dedicate rituals to the Goddess Durga — the “Mother Goddess” who embodies the feminine energy known as Shakti — in recognition of her victorious nine-day battle against the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Some Hindus celebrate all nine of Durga’s manifestations, while others divide the holiday into three parts, dedicated to the triad of Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati — representing power, prosperity and wisdom, respectively. In all its iterations, Navaratri is seen as a time for men and women alike to recognize the role feminine power has played in their lives — the loving and compassionate caregiver, the steadfast and devoted supporter and the powerful and fierce protector.

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