KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 28 -- Hindus across the world are currently observing a nine-day religious festival called Navaratri, worshipping the various forms of the Divine Goddess.

Navaratri, which means "nine nights", falls in the month of Purattasi - the sixth month in the Tamil calendar - which coincides with the mid-September to mid-October period.

According to Hindu belief, Goddess Durga fiercely battled the demon Mahishasura for nine days before finally slaying him on the tenth day, known as Vijayadashami.

This year, the Navaratri festival began on September 22 and will culminate on October 1.

How is Navaratri generally observed?

Goddess Durga is worshipped on the first three nights, while Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, is wor...