Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, September 22
The nine-day Sharadiya Navratri festival began today with large crowds of devotees thronging temples across Himachal Pradesh. Major shaktipeeths including Naina Devi in Bilaspur, Chintpurni in Una, and Jwalaji, Brajeshwari and Chamunda Devi temples in Kangra saw long queues of worshippers from early morning. Many devotees also arrived from neighbouring states to offer prayers. Temples were decorated with flowers and lights, while extended timings were arranged for darshan. The doors of Naina Devi temple were opened at 2 am, Chintpurni at 4 am, and Jwalaji and other shrines at 5 am.
Security arrangements were stepped up, with police personnel deployed along with CCTV surveillance and drone monitoring to prevent untoward incidents. In Shimla, devotees flocked to the historic Kali Bari temple to seek blessings. “May the Mother Goddess bless the state, free people from the shadow of natural disasters and grant peace and prosperity to all,” said priest Mukti Chakravarti. On the first day, special prayers were offered to Goddess Shailputri, the first form of Goddess Durga. Devotees prayed for peace, protection and prosperity during the nine-day festival, which honours different forms of the goddess each day.
