From ‘Kalash Yatra’ to garba: How India kicked off Navratri celebrations

One of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, Navratri, kicked off on Monday. Navratri begins on the first day of the Ashwin lunar month with ghatasthapana. Kalash, which is installed during ghatasthapana, is immersed in a water body on the tenth day. Devotees take part in a 'Kalash Yatra' on the first day of Navratra festival, in Patna, Monday. (PTI Photo)

Garba is a popular dance form performed during this festival in the western part of India. Artists here can be seen performing during a Navratri festival celebration in Ahmedabad, India. (AP Photo)

All nine days during Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Shakti are worshipped. An artist is seen working on an idol of Hindu goddess Durga ahead of Navratri festival in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo)

Devotees visit the Barah Devi temple on the first day of Navratri festival, in Kanpur, Monday, Sept 26, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Bommai Golu or the Navratri Golu — decorated display of dolls and figurines — is an integral part of the festivities in South Indian households of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Devotees at the illuminated Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple, a day before the start of 'Navratri' festival, in Mangaluru, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (PTI Photo)

While Bommai Golu is a tradition in the south, in North India, most people observe a fast. Devotees visit a Ma Kali temple on the first day of Navratri festival, in Moradabad, Monday, Sept 26, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi temple holds special importance during Navratri when the Goddess is worshipped and celebrated. The picture shows decorations at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan ahead of the upcoming festival of 'Navratri', at Katra in Reasi district, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Decorated Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan ahead of Navratri festival, at Katra in Reasi district, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Each day a specific Prasad is offered to Navdurga to get her blessings, according to Drik Panchang. In the picture, Hindu devotees perform rituals at the Alopidevi temple during Navratri, or nine nights festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh , India. Monday. (AP Photo)

During Navratri, women dress themselves with nine different colours allocated to each day of Navratri. In the picture, devotees can be seen during their visit to offer prayers at the Mata Longa Wali Devi Temple on the first day of 'Navratri' festival, in Amritsar, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. (PTI Photo)