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Navratra begins with fervour
THE FESTIVAL of Navratra began with religious fervour today. All the temples of Goddess Durga in this holy city was crowded with devotees. Nine different forms of Goddess Durga would be worshipped by devotees during the coming nine different days of the festival. The first day of Goddess Durga is dedicated to Shailputri (a form of Goddess Durga). The temple of Shailputri situated in Adampura area witnessed large crowds.
THE FESTIVAL of Navratra began with religious fervour today. All the temples of Goddess Durga in this holy city was crowded with devotees. Nine different forms of Goddess Durga would be worshipped by devotees during the coming nine different days of the festival. The first day of Goddess Durga is dedicated to Shailputri (a form of Goddess Durga). The temple of Shailputri situated in Adampura area witnessed large crowds.
District administration had also made security arrangements around the Shailputri and other temples to ensure smooth passage to the devotees. Amid chanting of Vedic mantras, the idols of Goddess Durga were installed at several places such as Town Hall, Machchodari etc., in Varanasi on Saturday.
In all 234 different clubs, organisations and institutions will celebrate Durga Puja in Varanasi. The idols of Goddess Durga have been established at more than half-a-dozen places in Varanasi on Saturday.
Keeping in the view the March 7 twin bomb blasts, the administration is taking all possible steps to ensure smooth passage to devotees and to avoid any untoward incident. Around 20 puja sites have been identified as sensitive.
Jaunpur
Religious fervour and gaiety marked the beginning of Navratra here on Saturday. Devotees thronged the tastefully decorated temples of Shitla Maa, Maihardevi and Vindhyavasini Devi. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the district.
Vindhyachal
The nine-day Navratra fair began with ‘mangal aarti” at Vindhyachal, one of the Shaktipeeths, on Saturday.
As many as 50,000 to 60,000 devotees offered prayers at Vindhyachal, Kalikoh and Ashtabhuja temples of the region on the first day. Devotees had to wait for hours to have darshan of the deities. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the fair. As many as 10 to 15 lakh devotees from different parts of the country are expected to arrive here. The entire ‘mela’ area has been divided in nine zones and 27 sectors. About 2,000 police personnel have been deployed in the ‘mela’ area, along with PAC jawans, home guards, bomb disposal squad, dog squad etc. Not even VVIPS, will be allowed to touch the feet of the idol of Goddess Vindhyawasini during ‘mela’ period.
