Navadurga

According to Hindu mythology, the nine forms are considered the nine stages of Durga during the nine-day long duration of the war with demon-king Mahishasura, where the tenth day is celebrated as the Vijayadashami (lit. 'victory day') among the Hindus and is considered as one of the most important festivals.

Background and Puja (prayer)

During the festival of Navaratri, nine unmarried virgin girls up to the age of nine years are worshipped and fed as they are considered to be the incarnations of these nine goddesses. The nabapatrika (Literally 'nine leaves') ritual during Durga Puja involves tying the branches of eight plants with their leaves with a banana plant (naba meaning 'nine' in Sanskrit, and patrika meaning 'leaves').