Sharad Navrathri

Sharad Navrathri is celebrated after the Amavasai of the month Poratassi(Ashwin) for nine days throughout India. People observe vrath for these nine days. Even four faced Brahma, five faced Shankar or six faced Karthikey or anybody else cannot give full description of Devi mahima. With devi Durga's grace any task or effort started during these nine days will be successful.
On the first day of navratri Lord Ram worshipped Devi Shakti and took herblessings to kill Ravan. Throughout India people read Ramayan or Durga Sapthashati, bhajans are held day and night and people worship goddess Durga's nine forms-Shaila Putri, Brahmacharini(Aparna), Chandraganta, Khushmanda, Skandhamatha, Kathyayani, Kalrathri(Kali), Maha Gowri, Siddidatri.
In North India on the first day people vow to fast for nine days. In clay plots different kinds of pulses are grown and is kept in front of the goddess. On the eight or ninth day, 7 or more girls(kanya) below five years are called home for kanya puja and are given puri and halwa . It is considered, that by doing Kanya puja we can please all gods and Goddesses. Navrathri comes to an end on the tenth day.
In south India Golu and a kalasam as a symbol of Durga is kept during Navrathri. The first three days are for Durga, Next three days for Laxmi and last three days are for Saraswathi. Ladies go to each others house for kumkum and devotional songs are sung. Payasam is prepared in the morning and sundal in the evening as offering to the god everyday.Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped on the ninth day. Books, musical instruments are placed in front of the god and worshipped. On the tenth day, books are read and musical instruments played. Guru dakshina is given to teachers and people start learning music, vedas or any new venture on this day as this day is considered auspecious . On the evening of the tenth day it is believed that Durga kills demon Mahishasur, to cool her down panaham and buttermilk is offered. In the night the three main idols Ganesh, Laxmi and Sarawathi with Durga are put faced down as Navrathri comes to an end.
In Gujarat and Rajasthan in a big shamiana an idol of Godess Durga is placed. Garbha and Dandiya are held. everywhere people dress up with decorative cloths and whole family enjoys these days with good food and good entertainment.
In Bengal in a big shamia, Mahishasur Mardhini Durga idol is kept along with Lord Ganesh, Karthikey, Saraswathi on shansti Different kinds of offering are given to gods. Lots of cultural activities are also held. people take food that is offered to god as prasad. outside stalls they get different kinds of food. On Dashami Durga's idol is taken for visarjan.
On the evening of Vijay Dashami day Shami Tree(Khejadi) is worshipped. The wood from this tree is considered to be very strong and by rubbing two stick together fire is produced. People worship this tree to be strong and tejasvi.
Vijaydashami is celebrated in Mysore in a grand scale. Elephants are decorated with silk cloth, bells are tied to their neck and legs and a grand parade is held lead by Chamundi devi and witnessed by the King and people of Mysore.
The importance of Navrathri vrath can be explained by many stories. One such story goes as follows:
Durga is Dur-gatinashini meaning evils in the society are uprooted by her. Demons did tapasya on the advice of their Guru Shukracharya and got the boon from Lord Brahma that they cannot be killed by man or animals. Mahishasur was the king for all the demons. As a result of the boon their power increased.they started torturing devas. All the gods went to Lord Brahma and said Durga is stri Sakhti(Women Power) and she can only kill Mahishasur. On the request of the gods Durga accepted. All the gods gave their power and weapons to her due to which she became super natural power. Goddess Durga fought with mahishasur for 9 days and killed him. We worship devi durga on these nine days.
Celebrating Navrathri is a symbol of good over bad whether it is Ram killing Ravan or Godess Durga killing Mahishasur.