E-Paper
Chaitra Navratri: City temples decked up for puja, rituals
DEVI TEMPLES in the city are all decked up to celebrate the festival of Chaitra Navratri which starts from Thursday (March 30). The nine-day festival of worshipping the various 'avtaars' of Maa Durga will continue till March 7.
DEVI TEMPLES in the city are all decked up to celebrate the festival of Chaitra Navratri which starts from Thursday (March 30). The nine-day festival of worshipping the various 'avtaars' of Maa Durga will continue till March 7.
Offerings of coconuts, chunri and flowers will be offered to the Goddess. Each day will be marked by recitation of Durga Saptashati, havan and other rituals.
Siddhapeeth Maa Kalyani Devi, which is one of the popular Siddhapeeths in the city, will witness nine distinct Sringars of Maa each day. Vedic Brahmins will perform Shatchandi Mahayagya followed by bhandara on the day of Ashtami.
Another Siddhapeeth, the temple of Maa Lalita Devi, will have special decoration on the occasion done by the artists invited from Kolkata who have made the idols of various deities. The temple will be opened for the devotees from 4.30 am to 1 pm and then in the evening at 5 pm till midnight at 1 am. Paath of Durga Saptshati will be performed in the morning while Shatchandi Mahayagya will be held in the evening according to general secretary Dheeraj Nagar of Mahashakti Lalita Devi Mandir Samiti.
Bhagwati Jagran will be held in the evening on March 30 in which Neelima Singh will present devotional songs.
There will also be Chaitra Navratri Mela held on the occasion. However the members of the committee have expressed dissatisfaction over the condition of civic amenities available in the area. They have demanded the repairing of street lights and arrangement for the cleanliness as well as the construction of damaged road.
Likewise the decorations and other specific arrangements are underway at Maa Khemamai, Maa Alopshankari Devi, Siddheshwari Peeth and other temples.
Navratri parv will also be observed at Bhagwan Ram Mandir in Civil Lines from March 30 to April 6. Ramnavmi utsav will be held on April 7.
Several temporary shops have already emerged near the temples which are displaying the items especially meant for offerings to Goddess Durga such as chunri, flowers and coconuts. It is interesting to note that chunris are available in various price range starting from Rs 10. The price depends upon the gota work done on them.
