New Delhi : As the festival of Sharadiya Navaratri begins, temples across the country witnessed a surge of devotees coming together to celebrate the first day of the nine-day festival dedicated to worshipping Goddess Durga.
Devotees were seen standing up in queues to offer their prayers to Maa Durga on the first day of Navratri In Delhi, the Shri Adhya Katyayani Shaktipith Mandir in Chhatarpur saw a vibrant Aarti ceremony, drawing a large crowd of worshippers eager to participate in the auspicious rituals.
In Haryana, the Shree Mata Bheemeshvari Devi Mandir (Beri Wali Mata) in Jhajjar also attracted numerous devotees, who gathered for an Aarti to honor the goddess on this special day.
Large numbers flocked to the Badi Devkali Devi Temple in Ayodhya The atmosphere was charged with spirituality as devotees offered prayers and celebrated the start of Navratri.
A large crowd gathered at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, with the chants of "Jai Mata Di" resonating throughout the area as devotees lined up to catch a glimpse of the revered deity.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared his wishes with the public in a post on X, expressing hopes for "happiness, peace, and prosperity" for the fellow countrymen.
"Wishing all devotees and residents of the state a heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the sacred festival of worshipping Adi Shakti Maa Durga, 'Sharadiya Navratri'! May Maa Bhagwati bless everyone's life with happiness, peace, prosperity, and good health. This is my prayer," CM Yogi wrote in a post on X.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended his greetings to the people, emphasising the significance of Navratri in worshipping and respecting the divine feminine.
"Navratri holds special significance as we worship the various forms of Maa Durga. This festival symbolises the power of women and is a reflection of our culture and traditions," he said in a statement.
In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Durga Puja celebrations at Jodhpur Park on Wednesday. In her address, she highlighted the importance of unity and inclusivity, wishing for everyone's well-being during the festivities.
"I hope Maa Durga keeps everyone healthy. We respect all religions, castes, and languages. While the administration is with you, it is also important that you support us during the puja," she said.
Shardiya Navratri is a vibrant and sacred Hindu festival that spans nine nights, celebrating the divine feminine energy embodied by Goddess Durga. Observed in the lunar month of Ashwin, this festival is marked by fervent worship, elaborate rituals, and cultural performances.
Each day is dedicated to a different form of the goddess, symbolizing various aspects of strength, compassion, and wisdom. Devotees engage in fasting, singing devotional songs, and participating in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, creating a joyful atmosphere.