Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the start of Navratri, a nine-day festival honoring Goddess Durga, by extending heartfelt wishes to the nation on Thursday.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Wishing all countrymen endless blessings for Navratri. May this holy festival, dedicated to the worship of strength, prove to be auspicious for everyone. Jai Mata Di!”
In his message, PM Modi also offered prayers to Goddess Shailputri, saying, “On the first day of Navratri, we offer our heartfelt prayers to Mother Shailputri! May her blessings bring welfare to all. This hymn to the goddess is for all of you.”
Home Minister Amit Shah joined in the festive spirit, sending his greetings and prayers for global peace and happiness.
“Heartfelt wishes to all countrymen on the auspicious festival of Navratri,” he satated.
Shah further added, “Navratri is a grand celebration of the worship of strength, the accumulation of spiritual energy, and the veneration of the nine forms of Mother Ambe, the Mother of the Universe. I pray to Mother Durga for the welfare, happiness, and peace of the entire world. Jai Mata Di!”
As the Shardiya Navratri festival commenced, devotees across the country flocked to temples to seek blessings from Goddess Durga. At the revered Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, a large number of pilgrims participated in the first-day rituals.
This site is one of the most significant destinations for Hindu worshippers dedicated to ‘Vaishno Devi,’ a manifestation of Goddess Durga.
In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, devotees adorned the Badi Devkali Devi Temple with flowers and sweets, while in Prayagraj, large crowds gathered at the Alopi Sankari Devi Shakti Peeth Temple.
Meanwhile, Varanasi saw a vibrant display of devotion at the Ashta Bhuji Temple, where visitors sang bhajans and offered flowers.
Himachal Pradesh was abuzz with activity as devotees prayed in various temples, with early morning gatherings reported at the Kali Bari Temple in Shimla.
Additionally, in Bengaluru, the Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple witnessed a significant influx of worshippers on this auspicious occasion.
Meanwhile, in Assam’s Guwahati, the Maa Kamakhya Temple attracted a large number of devotees, who began queuing from dawn to partake in the rituals.
In Delhi, the Jhandewalan Mata Temple however hosted a lively gathering as worshippers came together for the traditional aarti.
The first day of Sharadiya Navratri is dedicated to worshipping Maa Shailputri, the initial form of Goddess Durga, marking the beginning of a significant period of worship and celebration in the Hindu calendar.
The festival, rich in rituals and devotion, showcases the diverse expressions of faith across India.
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