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Massive Crowd Marks Auspicious Start of Navratri Festival
Varanasi, March 19: Chaitra Navratri 2026 began with strong devotion across India. Devotees visited temples early in the morning to seek blessings from Goddess Durga.
Across cities, the atmosphere turned spiritual as bells rang and aartis took place. People participated in rituals and started fasting on this auspicious day.
Heavy Footfall at Major Temples
In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of devotees gathered at the Shri Durgakund Temple in Varanasi. Long queues were seen outside the temple from early morning.
Meanwhile, pilgrims reached Katra despite rainfall. They began their journey to the sacred Vaishno Devi Temple with great enthusiasm.
Faith and Devotion Among Devotees
Many people are observing Navratri fasts during these nine days. A devotee shared that visiting Maa Durga on the first day feels like a blessing.
Such beliefs reflect strong faith in the goddess. Worship during Navratri is also linked to positivity and inner peace.
Celebrations in Major Cities
At the same time, large gatherings were seen at:
- Jhandewalan Temple
- Chhatarpur Temple
- Mumba Devi Temple
Devotees performed rituals and attended special aartis across these temples.
Leaders Extend Greetings
Bansuri Swaraj wished citizens prosperity and happiness on the occasion.
In addition, Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted the importance of Navratri. He described it as a festival of Shakti and emphasized women empowerment.
Restrictions in Maihar During Festival
Authorities in Maihar imposed a temporary ban on meat, fish, and eggs. The restriction will remain in place from March 19 to March 27.
Officials stated that strict action will be taken against violators to maintain religious sanctity.
Significance of Chaitra Navratri
Chaitra Navratri marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga during this period.
The festival concludes with Ram Navami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Ram. Temples organize prayers, jagrans, and cultural programs throughout the festival.
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