Mirzapur/Varanasi/Mathura/Saharanpur (UP), Oct 11 (PTI) Devotees from all walks of life thronged temples across the state on the first day of Navratri to seek Goddess Durga’s blessings with religious fervour and devotion.
On the first day of Sharadiya Navratri, a massive crowd of devotees flocked to the abode of Goddess Vindhyachal in Mirzapur for worship after the 4:00 am ‘Mangala Aarti’. The day commenced with the ‘shringar’ of Goddess Vindhyavasini, followed by the ‘darshan’.
Mirzapur District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Gangwar said given the crowd and the number of devotees, VIP darshan would not be permitted between 4.00 am and 3.00 pm daily. He directed that no official should facilitate darshan through the exit gate under any circumstances.
Superintendent of Police of Mirzapur Aparna Rajat Kaushik directed police personnel to ensure vehicles are parked orderly at the designated parking sites for devotees, preventing traffic congestion. She emphasised that police personnel must perform their duties with transparency and treat every devotee courteously to ensure they face no inconvenience. She instructed officials on duty at the temple complex, the four main approach roads, and the Ganga ghats to remain vigilant and prevent traffic jams.
Extending greetings to the people, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in a post on X in Hindi, said, “On the sacred first day of Sharadiya Navratri, the holy festival of worshipping Shakti, salutations at the feet of Adi Shakti Ma Shailaputri.
“May Maa’s boundless grace infuse self-strength, patience, and positive energy into everyone’s life. May peace, harmony, and prosperity spread across the entire world, and may every home be illuminated with happiness and auspiciousness. Jai Maa Shailaputri.”
In Varanasi, authorities put stringent security measures in place for devotees at the Goddess’s temples for Navratri. The first day of Navratri is traditionally dedicated to worshipping Goddess Shailputri.
Police officials said they deployed adequate force at temple entrances, exits, and other sensitive locations. They installed metal detectors to screen devotees and set up barricades and queue management systems to handle the crowds. Officials said they have made arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of women devotees, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. They have also deployed a sufficient number of female police personnel.
To manage traffic, authorities have implemented route diversions and organised parking arrangements on major roads and at intersections leading to the temples. Authorities said ambulances have been arranged to handle medical emergencies, and CCTV and drone cameras are being used to monitor crowded areas.
In the state capital, Lucknow, devotees visited various temples on the first day of Navratri, including Kalibari, Bhuyan Devi temple and other prominent temples of the city. The historical Kali temple in Mathura performs a special aarti at midnight on the first, eighth, and ninth days of Navratri.
“The time is called ‘Nishit Kaal’. According to Vedic scriptures, it is considered very auspicious during Navratri, as it is believed that the next hour is filled with positive vibes only,” Mahesh Chaturvedi, Sewayat Mata Kali temple, said.
Raman Tandon, media in-charge of the Maa Kali temple, said it is believed that Maa Durga will arrive on an elephant (this year), which is considered very auspicious. He said the temple observed sacred rituals from morning till noon and was decked up for the auspicious nine-day festival. The deity, adorned in beautiful attire, will bless devotees in the evening. The temple will remain open till midnight, Tandon said.
Devotees performed a symbolic Mahaabhishek of Devi Maa on a small idol at the Kaila Devi temple in the morning. The temple has idols of Ma Kali and Mata Chamunda. The deities will wear different attire daily, Sanjeev Garg, Trustee of Kaila Devi temple, said.
Since morning, the temple has witnessed a heavy rush of devotees offering chunari and coconut to the Goddess, he said. Officials said they have made adequate police arrangements outside major temples. Devotees have arrived at the Maa Shakambhari Devi temple in Saharanpur district.
SP (Rural) Mayank Pathak urged devotees and pilgrims visiting Shakambhari Devi to exercise caution. Owing to continuous rainfall, there is a risk of a sudden surge of water in the riverbed within the Shakambhari Devi area.
Pathak told PTI that devotees’ safety is the top priority; therefore, people are requested to avoid visiting the Shakambhari Devi fair area for now. Devotees currently in the fair area should stay away from the riverbed and water channels and follow instructions from police and administrative personnel deployed on site.
Pathak advised devotees to rely only on information provided by police and administration. In case of an emergency, they should immediately contact 112. PTI COR RAJ NAV ASD
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