PM Narendra Modi, President Barack Obama to be popular tattoo faces during Navratri

Ahead of the holy Navaratri festival, enthusiastic revelers got themselves tattooed with the faces of Modi and Obama as a mark of support for the former's U.S visit.

The festival spans Prime Minister Modi's first trip to the United States since he triumphed in a general election in May.

"Well it's my first time in India, here in Gujarat and it's my first Navaratri actually, and I am really excited about it. And, I just heard that the Prime Minister of India is going to the USA and I want to show my support because it's an international relation. It's really important," said tattoo customer, Nila.

Millions of Hindus fast, pray and dance to please the mother goddess during Navratri. Some restrict their diet to fruit and vegetables while spurning meat, onions and garlic. Others, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strict vegetarian, do not eat at all.

Throughout a gruelling schedule that features the United Nations General Assembly, a rally of Indian Americans at New York's Madison Square Garden and talks with Obama in Washington, the devout Hindu will abstain from food.

In keeping with the habits of a lifetime, the Prime Minister will restrict himself to a "liquid diet" throughout the Navratri festival, when many Hindus worship goddess Durga in all her manifestations. Meanwhile, preparations are going on in full swing in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur. Artisans from Kolkata arrived in Gorakhpur to craft the idols of the goddess.

"Preparations are going on well. We get good customers also. But we face a lot of hurdles. We want a secured space for us where we can make more idols. The government doesn't provide us mud, we have to take permission to get it," said artisan, Prasenjit.

He added that support from the government and improvement of infrastructure will boost their business. Navratri, literally meaning nine nights, falls this year from Septermber 25 to October 03. It is a festival to worship goddess Durga.

It culminates on the tenth day, known as Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil.