Navratri celebrations embraced with flowers, dolls and sheer joy

Navratri celebrations kicked off all over the nation as people worship the different avatars of Goddess Durga. People wear new clothes, observe fasts, perform folk songs and dances, as they celebrate this period of prosperity and joy. There is a lot of diversity in the way the festival is observed, and each state has a unique flavour to add to the festivities.

A girl in traditional attire performs Garba for Navratri, which started on October 1st. (Photo | AP) 

Girls arranging 'Bommakkolu' as part of Navaratri celebration at Tali Sammohamadam in Kozhikode on Monday. (TP Sooraj | EPS)

Women celebrating Navratri in Hyderabad. (Vinay Madapu | EPS)

Goddess Durga idols displayed for the Durga puja, Navaratri and Dussehra celebrations in Hyderabad. (Vinay Madapu | EPS)

Indian artists perform during Navratri in Ahmedabad as part of the ongoing festivities. (Photo | AP)

The arrangement of these tiny dolls are part of the celebrations. (Sathya Keerthi | EPS)

An artisan adds finishing touches to an idol of the Goddess. (Sayanthan Ghosh | EPS)

The collection of antique Bommaikolu at the residence of Rohini Sen and Eshwar Naidu in Thiruvananthapuram. ( BP Deepu | EPS)

Navratri is marked by colourful dances, and here, Indian artists perform in Ahmadabad. (Photo | AP)

Men and women in traditional attire perform Garba on the first night of Navratri in Ahmadabad. (Photo | AP)