Navratri means "nine nights". We celebrate it to honour the Goddess Durga and her victory over the buffalo-demon Mahishasura. The story comes from the Devi Mahatmya, a text over 1,400 years old. Our tradition links the nine nights to her battle and the tenth day, Vijayadashami (Dussehra), to her victory. Its message is simple enough for a 4-year-old: when everyone's goodness comes together, it is stronger than any bully. Across India the same nine nights look different: garba in Gujarat, Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, golu dolls in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Ramlila in the North. On the tenth day, many families start something new, even a child's first letter.
Dates as per Drik Panchang, New Delhi. Your local panchang may differ by a day.
In this article
The story of Navratri
A demon called Mahishasura, who could change into a buffalo, grew so powerful that he drove the gods out of the heavens. No single god could stop him.
So the gods did something new. Each one gave his power, and from their combined light a Goddess appeared: Durga. Every god gave her a weapon: Shiva his trident, Vishnu his discus, Indra his thunderbolt. The mountain Himalaya gave her a lion to ride. She fought Mahishasura and his army, and she won.
Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapters 2 to 4. The Devi Mahatmya is part of the Markandeya Purana, and scholars date it to around the 5th or 6th century CE.Engineer's note
Read the story like an engineer and its design is clear. No single part of the system could solve the problem. Combined, they could. Durga is made of everyone's strength put together. That is the line I would give any child: alone we are strong, together we are stronger than any bully.
Many families also link the tenth day, Dussehra, to Rama's victory over Ravana. That is why the North stages the Ramlila through the nine nights and burns a Ravana effigy on the tenth. In Bengal, the tradition holds that Rama worshipped Durga out of season, in autumn, before his battle (the Akal Bodhan), one reason Durga Puja falls at this time of year.
From my home
For us, Navratri is bombe habba and Mysuru Dasara. And Ayudha Puja is a great thing for me as an engineer. Respecting the tools and vehicles we use is one of the finest things our tradition teaches.
Manjunath
Why does Navratri move every year?
Navratri follows the moon, not the normal calendar. It begins on the first day of the bright half of the month of Ashvina, the day after the new moon. Each night the moon grows a little. On the tenth day, Dussehra, it is more than half full.
The bright half of the lunar month, as the moon grows. Navratri: days 1 to 9. Dussehra: day 10.
A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, so our calendar adds an extra month every two to three years to stay in step with the seasons. That is why Navratri falls in late September one year and mid-October another, but always near the end of the monsoon, in early autumn. That is also why it is called Sharad (autumn) Navratri. A second Navratri falls in spring, in the month of Chaitra, ending on Ram Navami.
Do together
Step out with your child after sunset each evening of Navratri and look west. Night 1 you may not see the moon at all. By night 3, a thin line low in the sky. By night 9, more than half. She will see the calendar in the sky with her own eyes.
The nine forms of Durga, one for each night
Many families honour a different form of the Goddess on each night. These nine forms (Navadurga) are named in the Devi Kavacham, recited with the Durga Saptashati. Tap a night to see her name, its meaning, an old painting, and a one-line idea for your child.
Old paintings rarely name these nine forms one by one. For each night we show the closest old painting of the Goddess, matched by her animal or what she holds, and the caption says exactly what it is.
1Shailaputri
"Daughter of the mountain." She stands for strength that is steady like a mountain.
2Brahmacharini
The one who practises with devotion. She stands for patience and effort. She is shown walking barefoot, with prayer beads in one hand and a water pot in the other.
For her: "Practise a little every day."3Chandraghanta
She wears a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. She stands for courage.
4Kushmanda
Our tradition holds that she created the universe with her smile.
5Skandamata
The mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), shown holding her child. She stands for a mother's love.
6Katyayani
Born in the home of the sage Katyayana. She is the warrior form who faces Mahishasura.
7Kalaratri
Her name means "dark night". She looks fierce, and our tradition holds that she takes away fear.
8Mahagauri
Shining and pure white. She stands for calm and a clean heart.
9Siddhidatri
The giver of accomplishments. She stands for the reward that comes after effort.
How India celebrates: one festival, many faces
Garba and dandiya. Families dance in circles around a lamp placed in a clay pot (the garbo). The circle keeps turning around the light at its centre. In 2023 UNESCO added the Garba of Gujarat to its list of the world's living traditions (Intangible Cultural Heritage), describing it as a devotional dance performed for Navaratri.
Durga Puja. The last five days are the biggest: neighbourhoods build pandals, and artists shape the Goddess in clay. On the last day, married women play sindoor khela and the idol is immersed in a river. UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its list of the world's living traditions (Intangible Cultural Heritage) in 2021.
Mysuru Dasara and Bombe Habba. Mysuru celebrates with a grand procession and a lit-up palace. At home, families arrange dolls on steps (bombe habba) and visit each other's homes to see them.
Golu. Families arrange dolls of gods, people and animals on an odd number of steps. Neighbours visit in the evenings, sing, and leave with a small gift.
Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham. Books and tools are placed before Saraswati on Ashtami or Navami and left untouched until Vijayadashami. On Vijayadashami, small children write their first letters in a plate of rice.
Ramlila and Ravana Dahan. Local troupes act out the Ramayana across the nine nights. On Dussehra, a giant Ravana figure (an effigy) is burned: good wins over pride. With small children, watch from far back and cover their ears; the figures are packed with crackers.
What we do, and what it means
🏺Ghatasthapana: the pot on day one
Tradition A pot of water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut, is set up on the first day. It stands for the Goddess's presence in the home for the nine nights. Often barley seeds are sown beside it and sprout through the festival.
Do together: let her sow the seeds and check the sprouts every morning.🌙Fasting
Tradition Many adults fast or eat simple food for some or all of the nine days, as a promise of devotion and discipline.
For children: no fasting. She can keep one small promise each day instead.👧Kanya Puja
Tradition On Ashtami or Navami, young girls are invited home, their feet washed, fed a meal and given gifts, honoured as forms of the Goddess.
Say: "Today we honour the Goddess in every girl."🪆Golu and Bombe Habba
Tradition Dolls arranged on steps tell stories of gods, saints and everyday life. Each family adds to its collection over the years.
Do together: make a three-step golu with her own toys and let her tell each doll's story.🔧Ayudha Puja
Tradition On Navami, tools, vehicles, machines and books are cleaned, decorated and honoured: thanks to the things that help us work.
Do together: she cleans her crayons and school bag and puts a flower on them.✍️Vidyarambham
Tradition On Vijayadashami, a small child traces her first letter in a plate of rice with her finger, guided by an elder. It is considered a good day to begin anything new.
Do together: let her trace "Om" or the first letter of her name in rice. A finger in rice, not a pencil drill.🍃Shami leaves as "gold"
Tradition In Maharashtra (apta leaves) and Karnataka (banni leaves), people exchange leaves as "gold" on Dussehra and wish each other well. Tradition links it to the Pandavas, who hid their weapons in a shami tree during their year in disguise (Mahabharata, Virata Parva).
Say: "Good wishes are worth more than gold."Why do festivals matter to children? A review of 50 years of research linked family rituals with children who cope better and families who feel closer. The researchers point to the meaning rituals carry: "this is who we are".
Fiese et al., Journal of Family Psychology, 2002.Read it aloud tonight: The Goddess Made of Everyone's Strength
A bedtime version of the story, about four minutes to read. Read it slowly, pause at the questions, and let her answer.
Long ago, a bully called Mahishasura grew very, very strong. He could even turn into a huge buffalo. He chased the gods out of their home in the heavens, and nobody could stop him.
How do you think the gods felt?
The gods gathered together. "Alone, none of us can stop him," they said. "But what if we put our strength together?"
So each god gave a little of his light. Shiva gave his. Vishnu gave his. Indra gave his. And all that light came together, brighter and brighter, until, out of it, stood a Goddess. Durga Maa!
She was calm and she was strong. Each god gave her a gift: Shiva his trident, Vishnu his spinning discus, Indra his thunderbolt. And the great mountain Himalaya gave her a lion to ride.
Can you roar like Durga Maa's lion?
Durga Maa rode out on her lion to face Mahishasura. He was big and noisy and angry. But she was not afraid. Our tradition tells that she stood up to him for nine nights.
And on the tenth day, she won. The gods could go home again. Everyone was safe.
That tenth day is Vijayadashami, the day of victory. And the nine nights before it are Navratri.
So remember the secret of Durga Maa: she was made of everyone's goodness, put together. Alone, we are strong. Together, we are stronger than any bully.
Devi Mahatmya, chapters 2 to 4. The nine nights of the festival: our tradition.
After the story
Ask her: "Who would you team up with to help someone?" Look at the moon together each evening of Navratri and watch it grow.
How to explain Navratri to your child
"For nine nights we pray to Durga Maa. She is very strong and very kind. She rides a lion! On the tenth day we have a big celebration."
"Long ago, a bully called Mahishasura was troubling everyone. No one could stop him alone. So all the gods put their strength together, and that strength became Durga Maa. She stood up to the bully for nine nights and won on the tenth day. That is Dussehra. When we all help each other, we are stronger than any bully."
The value she takes away
Everyone's goodness together is stronger than any one bully. Ask her tonight: "Who would you team up with to help someone?" Then wait for her answer.
Play this with your child
What animal does Durga Maa ride?
A lion! Ask her to roar like Durga's lion.
How many nights is Navratri?
Nine! "Nav" means nine and "ratri" means night. Count to nine on her fingers together.
Where did Durga's strength come from?
All the gods gave their strength together. Together is stronger.
Read next in this series
- Why do we do puja? The meaning behind 12 everyday rituals Read
- Why should children learn Indian culture and values? Read
- Diwali, all five days, explained for kids Read
- Indian festivals explained: the full calendar Read
Questions parents ask
Why do we celebrate Navratri?
To honour the Goddess Durga and her victory over the demon Mahishasura, told in the Devi Mahatmya. Our tradition links the nine nights to her battle and the tenth day, Vijayadashami, to her win. Its message: goodness that comes together is stronger than any evil.
What are the 9 colours of Navratri?
Many people wear a different colour each day of Navratri. It is a recent, popular custom: the colour list follows the weekdays, so it changes every year. It is not from the old texts, but it is a fun way for children to join in.
What can I do at home with kids for Navratri?
Sow barley seeds on day one and watch them sprout, look at the moon each evening, build a small golu with her toys, dance a little garba around a lamp (an adult holds the lamp), and let her trace her first letter in rice on Vijayadashami.
At what age is Kanya Puja done?
Families usually invite young girls, often aged about 2 to 10, on Ashtami or Navami. Customs differ from family to family.
Why is Navratri nine days?
"Nav" means nine and "ratri" means night. Our tradition links the nine nights to Durga's battle, and many families honour a different form of Durga on each night. The tenth day, Dussehra, celebrates the victory.
What are the nine forms of Durga?
Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri, together called Navadurga.
What is the difference between Navratri, Durga Puja and Dussehra?
They belong to the same season. Navratri is the nine nights. Durga Puja is how Bengal and the East celebrate it, mainly on the last five days. Dussehra (Vijayadashami) is the tenth day, the day of victory, linked to Durga's win and to Rama's victory over Ravana.
Why do we burn Ravana on Dussehra?
In North India, Dussehra is linked to Rama's victory over Ravana. Burning the effigy shows good winning over pride and wrongdoing. For small children, keep the focus on Rama and Hanuman, and on the light, rather than the fire.
Why is Navratri on different dates every year?
It follows the lunar calendar: it starts the day after the new moon in the month of Ashvina. A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, so the date moves between late September and October.
What is Vidyarambham?
On Vijayadashami, especially in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, small children trace their first letters in a plate of rice, guided by an elder. It marks a joyful start to learning.
Should children fast during Navratri?
No. Fasting is for adults. A child can take part by keeping a small promise each day, helping with the puja, or setting up a golu with her toys.
If we want thoughtful adults tomorrow, we must be equally thoughtful about childhood today.
Manjunath · father, ex-VinFast lead design engineer, founder of VedaPlay
Follow the build, and the stories we test at home, on Instagram: @manjunath.build
Sources
- Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati), chapters 2-4; Markandeya Purana.
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Durga Puja in Kolkata (inscribed 2021); Garba of Gujarat (inscribed 2023).
- Drik Panchang, festival calendars 2026 and 2027 (New Delhi).
- Fiese BH et al. (2002). A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals. Journal of Family Psychology 16(4):381-390.
- Paintings: Raja Ravi Varma, Durga; Bharata welcoming Rama to Ayodhya; Goddess Saraswati (1896). Forms of the Goddess: British Museum; Wellcome Collection (CC BY 4.0); Pahari and Basohli paintings; Ravi Varma Press; Calcutta print. All via Wikimedia Commons.
