Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh): Bharatiya Janata Party National President and Union Minister JP Nadda offered prayers and performed puja at the Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur on Friday morning.
Speaking to news agency on the occasion, Nadda said "Today, I had the fortune to get the blessings of Naina Devi in Shardiya Navratri. We got new energy to work for the welfare of the society and the country after having darshan of the mother goddess. We sought blessings for the peace and the prosperity of the country and that we can contribute to the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat."
Meanwhile, on the occasion of the ninth day of Navratri (Maha Ashtami), early morning 'aarti' was performed at several temples across the country. Devotees gathered in huge numbers at the temples to take part in the 'aarti' and offered prayers to Goddess Durga. Aarti was performed at Jhandewala Devi Mandir in the national capital.
Devotees gathered in large numbers for the Aarti at the Mumba Devi Temple in Mumbai. As the priests recited the prayers, the temple echoed with the melody. Maha Ashtami Puja was performed at Bharat Sevashram Ashram in Siliguri, West Bengal on Friday morning.
The eighth day of the Navratri festival is dedicated eighth form of Maa Durga - Maa Mahagauri, a symbol of purity, serenity and tranquillity. The festival of Navratri honours the defeat of the demon Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
The 9-day-long festival of Shardiya Navratri is intended for worshipping Maa Durga and her nine avatars, known as Navdurga. Navratri means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit. Hindus observe a total of four Navratris throughout the year.