Young devotion drives crowds to shrine

CHANDIGARH: For those who have never heard of youngsters bunking college to pay obeisance at a temple, a visit to the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine during the ongoing Navratras can be an eye-opener. A large number of youngsters can be seen patiently standing in queue to get a glimpse of the Goddess.
Many students come to the temple in groups all the way from Chandigarh and some straight from college.
''Since we did not have passes and knew that it would take long to reach the shrine due to heavy rush, we could not have waited for the classes to get over. With exams round the corner, it seemed like a good idea to pray for good grades,'' said Aakanksha, a student of law from Panjab University.
The enthusiastic youngsters were among devotees from different parts of the region chanting ''Jai Mata Di''.
While some college-goers forgot the tiring wait in the queue in the company of their friends, others had reached with their parents.
''I have been coming to pay obeisance at the for many years. Especially during the Navratras. The difference is that earlier my mother would take me to the temple and now I insist that she come along with me,'' said Aadil, a student and resident of Sector 15.
If this is not surprising enough, a large number of boys are also fasting besides paying obeisance at the temple daily. ''Earlier, I used to fast on the last two days of Navratras, but this time, I will do so on all nine days. I have great belief in the temple like other devotees who come here from far and wide,'' said Aayush, 22, a student from Panchkula.