Navaratri, also known as Durga Puja, Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra in different parts of India, is a Hindu festival celebrated to honor the Goddess Durga, also referred to as Devi, or Dharma, a representation of femininity and the triumph of good over evil. It is also celebrated to mark the anniversary of Lord Rama’s victory against the powerful King Ravana, a story depicted in the epic tale, Ramayana.
Navaratri lasts approximately 8 to 10 days and typically dies down around the end of September and beginning of October. It is celebrated by Hindu communities all over the world - in the UK, Trinidad, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and the Netherlands. The occasion is marked with lights strung up around every corner, the bursting of a variety of firecrackers, the lighting of candles, bright clothing, dances, displays of idols and, of course, endless supplies of food and traditional snacks and sweets.
These 15 photos will give you a taste of the festivities that Durga Puja has to offer.
1. The lighting of Candles during Sandhi Puja on the day of Ashtami in Kolkata, the 8th Day of celebration
(By Sumita Roy Dutta, Wikimedia Commons)
2. Folk Dance Performances outside the Ambaji Temple of Gujarat, in celebration of Navaratri
(By anurag agnihotri, Wikimedia Commons)
3. Two Pandals (fabricated structures for displaying idols and sculptures) set up in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) for Durga Puja
(By Ramakrishna Reddy Y, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Saikat Sengupta, Wikimedia Commons)
4. Immersion of the sculpture-idol of Durga on the day of Vijaya Dashami.
(By Biswarup Ganguly, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Biswarup Ganguly, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Ministry of Culture (GODL-India), Wikimedia Commons)
5. Garba Dancing, a Navaratri Tradition in Gujarat and neighboring states
(By nevil zaveri, Wikimedia Commons)
6. Kudroli Hindu Temple in Karnataka, decorated with lights in honor of Navaratri
(By Karunakar Rayker, Wikimedia Commons)
7. A lit lamp set atop a Bathukamma flower arrangement, a Telegu Navaratri Tradition
(By Randhirreddy, Wikimedia Commons)
8. Dhaks, an instrument played in processions and street performances during Durga Puja
(By Mallikamandal25, Wikimedia Commons)
9. Dhunachi naach (Dhunuchi Dance) performed on Navami (the 9th day of Durga Puja), using the Dhunachi, a Bengali incense burner
(By Amarnath, Wikimedia Commons)
(By ampersandyslexia, Wikimedia Commons)
10. The burning of Ravana Effigies during Dussehra
(By Shakti, Wikimedia Commons)
11. Dussehra Procession held in Mysore, Karnataka, as both a yearly tradition and now a major tourist attraction
(By Kalyan Kumar, Wikimedia Commons)
12. Kolam or Rangoli (a form of drawing that makes use of colored rice flour, chalk or rock powder) patterns drawn on the floor to mark Navaratri
(By Ramesh NG, Wikimedia Commons)
13. Women playing sindoor khela (the “vermilion game”), on Vijaya Dashami, which involves the smearing of sindur, a vermilion red cosmetic powder traditionally worn by married women.
(By Arindam Mitra, Wikimedia Commons)
14. Lights designed and installed on numerous streets during the time of the Festival
(By Kumar83, Wikimedia Commons)
15. A typical Navaratri feast, consisting of some rice or Indian bread, fried items (pakoda), assorted vegetables, curry, and gravy, with some cool refreshing buttermilk to drink with it.
(By Vivek3dartist, Wikimedia Commons)
A Short Lesson in New York's Architectural History
There's no city that can compare to New York's architecture. Let's dive into it.
Fall Back in Love With Summer in South California
A retired military man has been documenting his travels to South California for the past two years. Enjoy the coast through his lens- you can really see the love.
Float Mid-Air On the 91st Floor in New York
It took the artist over 3 years to design, and now this amazing installation is open for visitors in New York!
The Mastery of Capturing a Fraction of the World
Professional photographers come in to show us all again the true mastery of capturing the world through a lens. Enjoy.
This Family Makes Art. The Beach is Their Canvas
This family creates art together! Imagine what it would be like to wander on the beach and see their work in progress.
The Circular Nature of Olafur Eliasson's Architectural Art
Circular and spherical shapes repeat themselves in Eliasson‘s works, meant to reflect a sense of unity, oneness, and awareness of one’s surroundings.
8 Secret Rooms in the World’s Most Famous Landmarks
The world's famous landmarks hold some secrets, right there under the noses of the many visitors. Learn about 8 hidden rooms tucked in the most visited places.
11 Unique Museums to Visit in the City of Prague
we've compiled a list of the top 11 must-visit museums in Prague!
Cambodia Is an Asian Stunner That's Begging to Be Visited
Cambodia is a lesser-visited country in southeast Asia. It's hard to see why, because it's got a bit of everything. Here are 10 top destinations in Cambodia.
The Uncompromising Beauty of the Southern Pole...
In this video you can see the storm of color that is the Aurora Australis, streaking across the skies of the most southern point on our globe.
People Say That Bruges Is THE Place to See Lace Being Made
Bruges is renowned for its traditional lace-making, with its intricate patterns and designs. This is the story behind how it came to be what it is today.
16 Wonderful Places That Come to Life in the Spring
If you love the spring, and love seeing the field full of colorful flowers, then these places will be just perfect for you,
Britain Has Many Destinations That Prove its Sheer Beauty
There's a lot more to the United Kingdom than just London, as these amazing destinations will prove to you. Take a look at 14 traveler hotspots in the UK.
Check Out These Spectacular Award-Winning Drone Photos
Check out the spectacular winning images from the 2023 Drone Photo Awards.
15 Infrastructural Wonders That Will Take Your Breath Away
Let’s take a look at 15 pictures of stunning engineering marvels of our world.
Discover 9 Attractions in a Surprising Resort Town, Sochi
Sochi is one of the fastest developing resorts in Europe, and we invite you to get to know this destination with 9 attractions that shouldn't be missed!
Catch the Fall At These Gorgeous Locations...
Fall is coming soon, and with it these beautiful places awake to a colorful and beautiful existence. Here are a few of the most beautiful locations to enjoy the beauty of the fall at.
February Is a Gloomy Month, So Why Not Take a Vacation?
February isn't generally the most pleasant of months, so why not hop on a plane and go somewhere fun? These are the 10 best places to be in February.
10 Beautiful Landscapes that Make Austria a Traveler's Gem
10 incredible photos that will make you want to book your next flight to Austria.
Winter Hikers, Gather Round for the Best Tip of the Season
Here's how advanced snow hikers layer clothing in the winter.
The Many Forms of Wedding Dresses from All Over the World
Wedding customs are different all over the world, and these 20 countries have the most beautiful and colorful traditional wedding dresses.
10 Fascinating Places to Visit in Jordan
Jordan is a beautiful and exotic country. As you can imagine, it's home to many places that are worth visiting, such as the capital, Amman. Here are the top 10.
The 10 Attractions that’ll Make You Want to Fly to Monaco
The French Riviera awaits you in a tiny but wonderful city-state which will provide you with an exceptional holiday that you would not expect in France ...
The World is Full of Unique Places, But These 8 Stand Out
The world is full of intriguing places, some of which are incredibly unique. Here are 8 of the most fascinating ones.
Admire 8 Tourist Attractions in Every Season of the Year
From New York to India and then to the distant reaches of Lake Baikal, here is how 8 famous tourist destinations look like in every season
Watch Your Step: The World's Most Treacherous Staircases
These dangerous staircases will make your stomach drop.
Château d'If: One The Most Infamous Prisons In History
The famous Château d'If began as a formidable fortress, built as a defensive post in 1524 on the small island of If...
Cultivating the World's Largest Flower is No Easy Task
Rafflesia arnoldii is the largest flower in the world. And growing it is no easy task.
This Unbelievable Map Lets You Travel Like Marco Polo
This wonderful interactive map enables you to visit great oriental cities and follow in the steps of the adventurous Marco Polo.
The 10 Best Countries in the World to Grow Old In
The number of elderly people in the world is increasing with each passing year. Here are the top 10 countries in the world to grow old in!
Experience These 20 Incredible Cities in Just 90 Seconds!
I didn’t know which city I should visit next, so I was blown away by these stunning and informative videos of the world’s 20 top places.
These Quotes Will Give You a New Perspective on Life
Some wonderful words about travel that can teach us all about life's great journey.
The Most Gorgeous Train Rides in the USA...
Loosen your grip on the steering wheel, these rail-road trips will give you the opportunity to take in sights that the interstate doesn't deliver.
The Pretty Little Himalayan Country You've Never Heard Of
Bhutan is a landlocked country high in the Himalayas. Sadly, not much is seen or heard from this beautiful land. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Bhutan.
Vintage Photos Show What Life in Holland Was Like in 1890
These postcards of Holland in the late 1890s shed some light into what life was like back then.
Thailand Is Home to Some Jaw-Dropping Places to Visit
Thailand is hugely popular with tourists from all over the world, and to be honest, it's not hard to see why. Check out these 12 amazing attractions and places.
14 Small Towns and Cities That Reveal Austria's True Charm
Get to know Austria's lesser-known cities and towns. They may be small but they tell the true story of the beautiful country in their humble and wonderful way.
Want to Get Cheap Flight Tickets? The Answer is Here…
Find the cheapest flight tickets with these trusted tips and tricks.
The Dominican Republic is a Truly Epic Caribbean Paradise
If a stunning Caribbean destination sounds like a perfect holiday retreat to you, then take a look at this list of places to visit in the Dominican Republic.
Winter is Breathtakingly Beautiful in these Magical Towns
These towns are transformed with the touch of snow.
I've Never Seen a Town As Blue As This African One!
This wonderful little city is famous for one amazing thing: it is painted blue like the heavenly sky.
Indonesia is a Must See in This Vivid Video!
The beauty of indoensia in a 4k drone video
Want to Get Paid to Move to Italy or Spain? It's Possible!
Want to get paid to move to Italy, Spain, or Ireland? Yes, it’s possible!
See the Sights of Europe With Our 20-Country Collection!
This collection of 20 countries will let you you drop in on each of them through the posts below and see what is most gorgeous about that country.
Fascinating! Never-Before-Seen Images of the Titanic
Explore the Titanic like you've never seen it before with these rare photos.
Christian, Jewish or Muslim - Jerusalem is Holy to All
Jerusalem is holy to three religions. Join a beautiful tour of this piece of history.