Navaratra festivities begin with prayers

VARANASI: The city celebrated the beginning of Chaitra Navratra and New Year of Hindu calendar on Monday. Devotees offered prayers at Gauri temple.
The devotees, mostly women, thronged Gauri Temple of Shaiputri since morning to offer prayer on the first day of Chaitra Navratra.
To mark the beginning of new Samvatsar of Hindu calendar, the Vedic students performed Surya Namsakar amid chanting of Vedic mantras at Shankaracharya Ghat (Kedar Ghat) in the morning.A Sanatani Panchang published by the Vidyashree Dharmarth Nyas was also released on the occasion.
The BJP workers organised a Shubhkamna Yatra at Sheetala Ghat for the success of Narendra Modi.