The festival of Navratri is just around the corner and festive vibes can already be felt in the air.
Navratri is the official beginning of festivities in India. It is a nine-day long festival celebrated to honour the nine forms of Goddess Durga and her mighty valour. The auspicious festival typically falls twice a year- the Sharada Navaratri near autumn equinox (September-October) and the Vasanta Navaratri near spring equinox (March-April).
This year's Sharada Navaratri will be celebrated from October 7 to October 15. Celebrations include worshipping nine Goddesses in nine days, stage/ pandal decorations, chanting of the scriptures of Hinduism and more.
Here's a look at how artisans are preparing for Navratri 2021.
An artisan works on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a workshop ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, in Mumbai on October 5, 2021. | BL Soni
Artists works on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a workshop ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, in Mumbai on October 5, 2021. | BL Soni
Artists rehearse traditional Gujarati Garba for the upcoming Navratri festival celebrations, in Surat on Tuesday. | ANI
Artists rehearse traditional Gujarati Garba dance for the upcoming Navratri festival celebrations, in Surat on Tuesday. | ANI
An artisan works on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a workshop ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, in Mumbai on October 5, 2021. | AFP
An artisan works on an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a workshop ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, in Mumbai on October 5, 2021. | AFP
An artisan walks past idols of the Hindu goddess Durga at a workshop ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, in Mumbai on October 5, 2021. | AFP
An artisan covers an idol of the Hindu goddess Durga with a plastic sheet at a workshop ahead of the upcoming Navratri festival, in Mumbai on October 5, 2021. | AFP
A boy looks on at a clay idol of the Hindu goddess Durga at a workshop, ahead of the Navratri festival, in Mumbai, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. | PTI
A clay idol of the Hindu goddess Durga kept on display at a workshop, ahead of the Navratri festival, in Hyderabad, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. | ANI
Clay idols of the Hindu goddess Durga kept on display at a workshop, ahead of the Navratri festival, in Hyderabad, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. | ANI
With inputs from ANI.
