Śārada Navarātri 1931: London, England

Śarad Navarātri (the nine sacred nights of autumn) is the most widely celebrated of the four Navarātris, earning the title Mahā Navarātri. It begins on Āśvina Śukla Pratipadā (the first day of the bright fortnight in Āśvina) and culminates on Navamī, followed by Vijayadaśamī (Daśaharā) on the 10th day. For nine nights, the entire subcontinent turns its focus to the Goddess in her nine forms, the Navadurgā, worshipping her through fast, prayer, dance, and spectacular public ceremony.

The nine nights take on dramatically different expressions across India. In Gujarat, Navarātri is synonymous with Garbā and Dāṇḍiyā Rāsa: circular folk dances performed around a central lamp or image of Ambā Mātā, lasting all night for nine nights. In West Bengal and Assam, it is Durgā Pūjā: one of the world's great religious spectacles, with elaborate clay idols of Durgā slaying Mahiṣāsura installed in decorated pandals (temporary shrines) throughout every neighbourhood. In Karnataka, Mysore Dasarā is the royal celebration: a 400-year tradition of elephant processions, illuminated palaces, and Nada Habba (state festival). In South India, Golu (Bommai Kolu) fills homes with tiered displays of dolls and figurines depicting divine stories.

At the heart of Navarātri is the worship of the nine forms of Devī, the Navadurgā. Each day is dedicated to one form: Śailaputrī (mountain daughter), Brahmacāriṇī (the ascetic), Candraghaṇṭā (crescent-adorned), Kūṣmāṇḍā (creator of the cosmic egg), Skandamātā (mother of Kārtikeya), Kātyāyanī (warrior goddess), Kālarātri (the dark night), Mahāgaurī (the radiant white), and Siddhidātrī (bestower of supernatural powers). Devotees fast, offer flowers, and recite the Durgā Saptaśatī: 700 verses in praise of the Goddess.