Navratri 2018: India commences the nine-day fest

The auspicious period
Also known as Sharad Navratri, the fun-filled festival is celebrated in different ways across the country and involves worship of Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. Over the next nine days, devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts. The tenth day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami.
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The preprations
"Keeping the look completely traditional, one can opt for a nice saree with a choli-style blouse. To stand out, a contrast-coloured printed blouse can be worn with a simple woven saree." says designer city-based designer Abhishek Dutta.
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Ma durga
(In pic: Idols of Hindu goddess Durga are transported on boats through the waters of river Ganga to pandals, or temporary platforms, ahead of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata.)
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Other rituals
(In pic: Artistes busy to give finishing touches for coming Durga Puja festival in Delhi)
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