Festivals

Navratri
Navratri is celebrated in a large number of Hindu worldwide. The mother goddess is said to appear in 9 forms, and each one is worshipped for a day. These nine forms signify various personalities that the goddess influences us with. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.

The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit
Nava meaning - Nine
Ratri meaning - Nights.

During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi i.e. female divinity are worshipped.

First three days – DURGA (Goddess of valor)
The goddess is invoked as a spiritual force called Durga also known as kali in order to destroy all our impurities and other things.

Second three days – LAKSHMI (Goddess of Wealth)
The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth. She is the goddess of wealth.

Final three days – SARASWATI (Goddess of knowledge and art). The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.

The 9th day is Ayudha Pooja when everyone gives their tools of the trade -- pens, machinery, books, automobiles, school work, etc. a rest and ritually worships them. The tenth day, also known as Vijaya Dasami (day of Victory over evils), is significant to launch new activities or beginning of learning. Many teachers/Schools start teaching Kindergarten children from that day onwards.