Navratri is also celebrated in South India with as much fervour. Fasting is not that important here but food is made without the addition of onion and garlic. People do worship the deities and make sundals or sweet recipes to offer as prasadam. During this festival, many home set up Golu, which is a lovely display of deities idols, dolls and animal figures. It is a time when people invite friends, relatives and neighbours to their homes. While the ‘Nav Ratris’ or nine nights are dedicated to the three goddesses – Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswati equally, the goddess of learning and knowledge Saraswati is the most significant in South Indian traditions.

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