The nine days and nights of Navratri are totally dedicated to Mother Goddess and includes fasts, strictly vegetarian diets, japa (chanting mantras in honor of the Goddess Shakti), chanting religious hymns, prayer, meditation and recitation of sacred texts related to Devi Maa (Mother Goddess). Celebrated generally during September or October, the main ritual of this festival consists of placing images of the Goddess in homes and temples. There is a grand ceremony that involves offering of fruits and flowers to the Goddess and singing 'bhajans' (hymns) in her honor. In Gujarat, it is a community event, where people perform devotional songs and dances that are popular by the names of Dandiya Raas and Garba Raas, and observe Jaagran (waking through the night).

Bengalis feature worshipping of huge beautifully made idols of the Goddess, perform devotional songs and dances and finally take out grand processions on the tenth day when the idols are immersed in water. The last four days of the festival are most important here. People worship pre-pubescent young girls known as 'kanyas' as embodiments of Goddess. 'Ayudha Puja' is performed on the ninth day where one worships the tools and implements of their livelihood and place it on the altar of the Goddess for her blessings of success and prosperity. It serves to remind one to uphold one's responsibility as a sacred duty to the divine. Even children place their study books and writing tools on the altar and the families spend whole day in contemplation of the Goddess. On the tenth day of Dussehra, devotees perform 'Saraswati Puja' for blessings of knowledge and mental peace and Durga for her victory over the mighty demon-king Mahishasura.