Navratri is a prominent Hindu festival celebrated for nine nights and ten days in honour of Goddess Durga and her nine incarnate forms. The term Navratri is derived from Sanskrit, in which "Nav" refers to nine and "Ratri" refers to nights.
It is observed twice annually Chaitra Navratri (March–April) and Sharadiya Navratri (September–October), with the second being more widely observed throughout India. During this festival, worshippers fast, say prayers, recite mantras, and also rejoice by performing dance forms such as Garba and Dandiya Raas in most areas.
Navratri celebrates the victory of good over evil, as it is the day of the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Devotees worship a different manifestation of the goddess on each of the nine days and also dress in a colour associated with each victory.
A viral advertisement offering services to 'rent a Garba partner' for Navratri in Mumbai has sparked significant controversy. BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay has formally written to the Mumbai Police Commissioner demanding an immediate investigation into the module. The advertisement allegedly offers dance partners at rates ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 rupees. Upadhyay raised concerns over potential fraud, cheating, and women's safety, questioning the identity and motives of the organizers operating the business ahead of the festive season.
A major controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Bageshwar Dham's Dhirendra Shastri labelled Bengali people 'pakhandi' for consuming meat and fish during Durga Puja and Navratri at a sabha in Howrah. Shastri's remarks have drawn sharp criticism, as offering fish and meat to deities is an age-old ritual at prominent temples like Kalighat, Dakshineshwar, and Tarapith. The Congress has lodged a police complaint against Shastri for hurting the sentiments of Bengalis, with the Trinamool Congress and CPIM also condemning his statement. Meanwhile, BJP leaders including Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, and Shamik Bhattacharya defended Bengali traditions, affirming that people have no food restrictions during Durga Puja and Kali Puja.
An address at the University ground highlighted the critical period for India's youth and reaffirmed the priority of achieving the Viksit Bharat target by 2047. The address called upon the people of Vadodara to maintain cleanliness following recent sanitation efforts, urging residents to pledge against littering ahead of Diwali, Navratri, and Ganeshotsav festivities. The address also drew attention to development in railway logistics and dedicated freight corridor projects. It was noted that while a dedicated company was formed in 2006, project files remained stalled across tables until 2014, resulting in less than a single kilometre of freight corridor completion over seven to eight years. Contrast was drawn with past practices of limited annual train announcements versus current continuous railway network expansion. The address highlighted that 2,800 kilometres of the dedicated freight corridor have now been completed to transform India's logistics ecosystem.
Development projects worth thousands of crores of rupees were unveiled in Vadodara, Gujarat, marking a major milestone in national infrastructure. The Dedicated Freight Corridor project, spanning over 2,800 kilometres across Eastern and Western routes, has been completed to transform the country's logistics ecosystem and accelerate transportation. The initiative, conceived in 2004 with a dedicated company formed in 2006, faced prolonged delays before work was expedited post-2014. The operational corridor separates passenger trains from goods trains, significantly improving speed, travel efficiency, and business connectivity. Additionally, civic participation and cleanliness drives across Vadodara ahead of upcoming Ganeshotsav and Navratri festivals were highlighted alongside the focus on the Gati Shakti connectivity framework.
A controversy over food and faith has erupted in West Bengal ahead of the Durga Puja festive season following remarks by Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri during his Hanuman Katha in Howrah's Liluah. The preacher questioned the practice of eating non-vegetarian food near Durga idols and pandals during Navratri, calling on devotees to boycott such practices. West Bengal BJP leaders pushed back against the remarks, asserting that the state's traditional food habits cannot be dictated and noting that non-vegetarian offerings and mutton consumption remain part of traditional rituals like Navami and Ma Kali worship. Meanwhile, fresh directives for this year's Durga Puja celebrations have been announced in the state, which include a ban on liquor sales on Maha Ashtami, prohibiting DJ music during idol immersion processions, and scrapping the Durga Puja carnival on Kolkata's Red Road. Eligible Durga Puja committees are also set to receive a financial grant of one lakh rupees alongside free electricity.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has unveiled a first-of-its-kind festival enforcement calendar to monitor food safety at festivals and community events. Under this initiative, all food served at community events will undergo scrutiny to prevent adulteration and the distribution of substandard food. The FDA will implement proactive supervision by inspecting factories, storage warehouses, and shops well in advance rather than conducting last-minute checks. The calendar covers major festivals including Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Diwali, and Eid. Caterers for community food distribution programmes such as Bhandara, Iftar, and Langar must now adhere to strict safety guidelines. The measures also entail increased inspections across hotels, restaurants, and food businesses throughout Maharashtra.
This special report details the outbreak of communal violence in the Soru town of Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, where an argument over alcohol escalated into a gunfight, injuring over six people. According to our correspondent Santosh Sharma, the dispute began during a drinking session, which quickly turned into a scuffle and then an exchange of gunfire between the two groups, with some using licensed firearms and others using illegal weapons. Police have reached the scene, recovering one rifle and a revolver, and have taken several individuals into custody. Authorities are currently examining CCTV footage to identify and apprehend all those involved in the street fight.
Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, and Ashwini Vaishnaw recently presented a positive report on the Indian economy, emphasizing the impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms and robust festive demand. Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India has surpassed a neighboring country in smartphone exports to the United States. He also reported a 20-25% increase in electronics sales during Navratri, noting that the electronics manufacturing sector now provides 25 lakh direct jobs. Piyush Goyal highlighted S&P's sovereign rating upgrade for India after nearly 18 years and an upward revision of the GDP forecast by the International Monetary Fund. The ministers detailed how GST rate reductions on 54 essential items, including dairy products and medicines, have been passed on to consumers, boosting sales in electronics and automobiles. Finance Minister Sitharaman stated the objective: "My first move is to make sure the benefit of a better collection reaches the common citizen." The briefing also covered the government's mechanism for handling over 3,000 consumer grievances and clarified that the tax rationalization was planned for over a year.
The latest report from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) shows historic sales during Navratri, backed by strong demand and the recent GST rationalisation. However, analysts believe that while the short-term growth looks impressive, the auto rally may soon stabilise as pent-up demand fades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, calling it a “viable pathway” to lasting peace, security, and development. In a post on X, he urged all stakeholders to back the initiative to end conflict and secure stability.
Prime Minister Modi has welcomed Donald Trump's announcement of a peace plan to end the two-year-old conflict in Gaza. The plan, presented during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accepted by Israel, is described by Prime Minister Modi as a, "viable pathway to long-term and sustainable peace." The proposal includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, amnesty for Hamas fighters who lay down their arms, and a reconstruction plan for Gaza, all contingent on the release of hostages. The initiative has also been welcomed by several Islamic nations. Separately, the transcript notes that Prime Minister Modi will celebrate Navratri and Durga Puja on Ashtami and may visit the Kali Mandir in Delhi's CR Park tonight. He extended greetings, hoping the occasion brings happiness and peace.
A 65-year-old powerlifter demonstrated an 80 kg deadlift and an 80 kg squat, challenging common perceptions of age and fitness. At the India Today Conclave, Rita Mehta revealed a history of health issues before she began strength training.
Fasting, a practice rooted in ancient traditions like Ramadan, Lent, and Navratri, is now being understood through the lens of modern science.
This episode of To The Point focusses on the political debate surrounding Navratri celebrations and Garba entry, particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
SDM Divya Patel announced that from September 22 to October 2, the sale of meat, fish, and eggs is banned in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh, during Navratri.
The Delhi government has granted a two-hour extension for night festivities, allowing celebrations for Navratri, Durga Puja, and Ramlila to continue until midnight instead of the previous 10 pm deadline.
This episode of 5 Live programme focusses on the ongoing scrutiny of the Air India crash investigation in Ahmedabad and the nutritional realities of Navratri fasting foods.
This programme examines the modern-day observance of Navratri fasting, questioning if the spiritual practice of detoxification has turned into a feast of unhealthy foods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur, Tripura, on the first day of Navratri to inaugurate its redeveloped complex.
In a major development push in Arunachal Pradesh, PM Modi inaugurated multiple projects across power, connectivity, tourism, and health sectors. Highlighting the impact of the BJP’s “double engine sarkaar,” he contrasted current development efforts with past neglect, saying parties like Congress ignored the region due to its small number of Lok Sabha seats. Modi remarked, “Congress used to think, Arunachal has so few people, only two Lok Sabha seats, so why focus here?” The visit also coincided with the first day of Navratri.
