India celebrates Pongal, Gudi Padwa and Navratri

A devotee of Devi Maha Mariamman being poured water during a procession to celebrate the 59th annual Pongal festival at Devi Maha Mariamman temple in New Delhi. (PTI)

Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in South India at the end of the harvest season .

A devotee of Devi Maha Mariamman run over fire pit during the celebration of the 59th annual Pongal festival at Devi Mahamariamman temple in New Delhi. (PTI)

Maharshtrian women offering prayers to Gudhi which is made from bamboo stick on the occasion of Gudi Padwa in Ahmedabad. (PTI)

Girls dressed in traditional Maharashtrian sari and wearing a saffron turban at Goregaon celebrate Gudi Padwa, Hindu New Year. (IE Photo: Vasant Prabhu)

Girls in colourful saris dances to celebrate Gudi Padwa. (IE Photo: Vasant Prabhu)

More of the girls dancing with cymbals in their hands. (IE Photo: Vasant Prabhu)

Residents of Goregaon celebrate Gudi Padwa by taking out a huge procession. (IE Photo: Vasant Prabhu)

Women praying on the occasion Gudi Padwa that marks the Maharashtrian new year, in Vadodara. (IE Photo: Bhupendra Rana)

Gudi Padwa is also considered auspicious to start any venture and often people prepare Puranpoli to welcome happiness in their lives.

Actress Sayali Bhagat who was last seen in Rajdhani Express launches a Gudi Padwa special Jewellery collection in Mumbai. (PTI)

Devotees perform morning rituals along the banks of Ganges on the first day of the nine-day festival of Navratri in Allahabad. (AP)
During this nine-day festival nine forms of Shakti are worshiped.

A devotee prays with a lamp inside Alopidevi temple in Allahbad on the first day of Navratri. (AP)

Navratri which is celebrated in the month of March-April is known as Vasanta Navratri.

A devotee prays inside Alopidevi temple on the ocassion of Navratri. (AP)

Priests wait for devotees at the entrance to a temple decorated with a portrait of god Shiva, on Navratri. (AP)