Nine days in autumn are mentioned in the Puranas and Dharmashastras as being highly auspicious for the worship of the Divine Mother Durga or Shakti. Mother Durga removes all danger and all negative tendencies that stand in the the way of spiritual evolution. It is customary to read the Sri Chandipatha, also known as Devi Mahatmya everyday of the festival. This poem of 700 verses is an episode of the Markandeya Purana and proclaims the greatness of the Goddess and her exploits to transmute evil forces.