Nine Nights of Power

Explores the rich diversity of narratives, rituals, and participants connected with one of the most important celebrations for Hindus in South Asia and in the diaspora. The autumnal Navarātri festival-also called Durgā Pūjā, Dassehra, or Dasain-is the most important Hindu festival in South Asia and wherever Hindus settle. A nine-night-long celebration in honor of the goddess Durgā, it ends on the tenth day with a celebration called "the victorious tenth" ( vijayadaśamī ). The rituals that take p