Navaratri is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in Dharwad, Karnataka, bringing together religious devotion, traditional customs, cultural programmes and community celebrations. The nine-day festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms, culminating in Vijaya Dashami (Dasara).
During Navaratri, temples across Dharwad are beautifully decorated, and special pujas, devotional programmes, discourses and cultural performances are organised. Dharwad has more than 40 Durga temples, many of which observe the festival with unique decorations and religious activities.
A major attraction is the nine-day fair at Shri Lakshmi Narayana Temple in Ravivar Peth, which draws large crowds from Dharwad and surrounding areas. Shri Lakshmi Narayana Temple Dharwad Other important celebrations take place at temples including Durgadevi Temple, Venkateshwara Temple and Nagareshwara Temple.
The celebrations also include Dandia Raas, folk performances, cultural programmes and the grand Jamboo Savari procession. In recent celebrations, the procession featured numerous artistic troupes and attracted large crowds along the streets of Dharwad.