Navratri, Durga Puja, Kullu Dussehra, Nada Habba – names may be different but the spirit of this festival remains the same across states in India. This nine-day-long festival, which culminates with Vijaya Dashmi (Dussehra) on the tenth day is celebrated in diverse ways in the country, with each state having unique traditions and beliefs. 

Much like the nine forms of Goddess Durga, the celebrations take different shapes as we move from the North to the South, and from the West to the East. While Navratri in Gujarat and Maharashtra is characterised by Garba, states like West Bengal and Assam are known for unique rituals associated with worshipping Goddess Durga. In north India, these ten days are marked with enactments of Ram Leela and in South India, unique pujas and cultural activities are held. 

As this widely celebrated festival approaches, people from different states in India give a glimpse into local traditions and cultural aspects that shape their celebrations.