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Grand Navratri celebrations begin in U.P.’s Prayagraj
The events include programmes of devotional music and songs besides recitation of ‘Akhand Ramayana Paath’ (continuous recitation of the Ramcharitmanas) among others
As per the directives of chief minister Yogi Adityanath for grand celebrations in prominent temples across the state during Navratri celebrations, the district administration started a special treat of religious events at three prominent temples of Sangam city on the first day of the nine-day festival on Wednesday.
The state government has released separate funds for organising these events, said officials in the know of things. “These events include programmes of devotional music and songs besides recitation of ‘Akhand Ramayana Paath’ (continuous recitation of the Ramcharitmanas) among others. Grand display of tableaus of all nine forms of Goddess Durga too have been planned,” saidd district magistrate of Prayagraj Sanjay Kumar Khatri.
“The responsibility of organising these events has been entrusted to the state department of culture,” he added. According to in-charge of these organising events Harishchandra Dubey, the programme at Kalyani Devi temple will be held from 9am each day starting on Wednesday till March 30 (Ram Navami).
Similarly, the programmes will be held from 12.15 pm each day at Alopi Devi temple and from 4pm at Ma Lalita Devi temple, he added. Each day will witness mostly one group of artistes performing on rotational basis at all the three venues at the given timing and days for the people, Dubey said.
On the first day of Navratri, noted bhajan singer Umesh Kanaujia and his group regaled devotees at the three venues. As per the schedule of the events, on March 23, 24 and 25 ‘Durga Saptashati Paath’ will be recited by Brahmin Batuks at Alopi Devi temple while the same will be recited by the temple committee at Lalita Devi temple.
At Lalita Devi temple, Shyam Bihari Gaur will lead ‘Devi Jagran’ on March 26 followed by performance by noted singer of devotional songs Ragini Chandra and group on March 27, presentation of Devi tableaus by Pradeep Verma and fellow artistes on March 28, ‘Akhand Ramayana Paath’ by Pt Shivansh and other Brahmins on March 29 and March 30.
At Alopi Devi temple, presentation of Devi tableaus by Pradeep Verma and fellow artistes will take place on March 26, ‘Devi Jagran’ by Umesh Kanojia and group on March 27, devotional songs by Shyam Bihari Gaur and group on March 28 followed by ‘Akhand Ramayana Paath’ by Mahendra Giri on March 29 and March 30. Officials said similar events have also been planned for specific Devi temples in various development blocks and tehsils of the district.
