The Aryavarth Express:
Lucknow, March 19: Devotees across India gathered in large numbers at temples to mark the first day of Chaitra Navratri, offering prayers and seeking blessings from Goddess Durga.
In Gorakhpur, worshippers visited Golghar Kali Mandir, while in Lucknow, crowds assembled at the Maa Chandrika Devi Temple. Similar scenes were seen in Surat at the Maa Amba Temple, where devotees arrived early to take part in rituals.
In the national capital, long queues were observed at Jhandewalan Temple as people marked the beginning of the nine-day festival with devotion and enthusiasm.
In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, devotees celebrated the Hindu New Year along the banks of the Shipra River by chanting mantras, offering prayers to the Sun God, and blowing conch shells.
Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, beginning with the worship of Devi Shailaputri on the first day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the occasion, wishing for discipline, peace, and positive energy in everyone’s life. He also offered prayers to Maa Durga, seeking blessings of compassion and prosperity for all citizens.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also conveyed his wishes, paying tribute to Goddess Shailaputri and praying for happiness, prosperity, and well-being for the people of the state.
