The idols of the Goddess are worshipped for nine days and on the ninth day, the idols are immersed in rivers or ponds. The procession accompanying the immersion include drummers and conch blowers. The legends say that the mighty demon Mahishasur, vanquished the gods and their king, Indra, who subsequently fled, leaving behind their kingdoms. They then approached the Holy Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who decided to destroy the atrocious demon and prayed to the divine mother Durga to do the needful. Equipped with lethal weapons riding a ferocious lion the Goddess in all her awesome majesty, destroyed the evil Mahishasur easily.
Women traditionally exchange gifts of coconuts, clothes and sweets.
Scenes picked from various stories in the epics and puranas are displayed. People visit their friends and acquaintances during these 10 days. The whole set-up is put up on the very first day of Navaratri and taken down. After the Saraswati pooja on the ninth day, is Vijayadashmi. Vijayadashmi is an auspicious occasion for children to commence their education in classical dances and music and to pay homage to their teachers.