Navarathri festival is celebrated not only in Kerala but also in all parts of India. Navarathri means, “Navam”(nine) and “rathri”(night).the festival is dedicated to “Devi”(Goddess). . In some places it is called “Dussera”, in some other places “Kalipuja” or “Saraswathi Puja”. As the name suggests it’s a nine day festival. The last three days of this festival is respectively called as “Durgashtami”, “Mahanavami” and “Vijayadasami”.

In Kerala people celebrates “Saraswathi puja” and “Ayudha Puja”. “Saraswati” is the goddess of knowledge. On the “Durgashtami” day a ceremony called “Poojavaipu” is performed. On that day students would submit their books and other study materials to the local temple, and others would submit their work tools. The following day is called as “Mahanavami”, that day is fully dedicated to worship “Saraswati”. On “Vijayadasami” the books and the work tools are taken from the temple and this ceremony is called as “Puja Eduppu”. This is considered as the best time for starting studies and work.

The Navarathri festival celebration at the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple at Thiruvananthapuram is very special. Classical music concerts are conducted in “Navarathri mandapam” every night during Navarathri.