Temples remain crowded as Hindu New Year begins with Navratri

Prayagraj: Almost all temples of the city witnessed long queues of devotees on the first day of Chaitra Navratri, on Thursday. Prominent city temples including Kalyani Devi temple, Alopibagh, Lalita Devi—which is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths— and others remained crowded throughout the day.Noted religious scholar Dr Amitabh Gour says, "Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. The festival also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.He said, "Many devotees follow different colour themes for nine days of Navratri—yellow for Maa Shailputri on Day one, green for Maa Brahmacharini (Day 2), grey for Maa Chandraghanta (Day 3), orange for Maa Kushmanda (Day 4), white for Maa Skandamata (Day 5), red for Maa Katayani (Day 6), royal blue for Maa Kalaratri (Day 7), pink for Maa Mahagauri (Day 8) and purple for Maa Siddhiadatri and Ram Navmi (Day 9).""The word Navratri is a combination of two words- ‘Nav' meaning nine and ‘Ratri' meaning night. During these nine days, nine different avatars of Maa Durga representing the divine feminine energy are worshipped. Many devotees observe fasts, and perform yajna," he said.Devotees started reaching temples from early hours on Thursday and the rush of devotees continued throughout the day. All the temples were decorated with colourful streamers and flowers. Shops selling puja articles and idols of Goddess Durga were set up pon the roads leading to temples. Restaurants and sweet shops did brisk business offering Navratri thalis and snacks for those observing fast. "I, along with my family, visited the Kalyani Devi temple for blessings," said Garima, a resident of Civil Lines, adding that, "We have placed kalash at our home as a part of Navratri rituals and also planted grains of barley. Our family worships the nine forms of goddess for nine days."Meanwhile, officials of the Commissionerate of Police (Prayagraj) reviewed security and crowd management at prominent temples and policemen were deployed at static locations.As many devotees reached Sangam to take a holy dip in Ganga, the Phaphamau bridge on Prayagraj-Lucknow highway witnessed a heavy jam for more than an hour, and additional police forces had to reach there to clear the route.