[Watch] From Vaishno Devi To Samaleswari Temple, Devotees Offer Prayers To Goddess On First Day Of Navratri

Bhubaneswar: Devotees across the country offered their prayers to the goddess Durga and her incarnations at various temples on the first day of Navratri, the 10-day festival which began on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wished the citizens on the occasion on social media.

Navratri is the widely celebrated festivals in India dedicated to Goddess Durga—an incarnation of Adi Shakti—and her nine avatars (Navadurga): Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Sidhidatri.

The first day of the festival is dedicated to Maa Shailputri, the daughter of the mountains and an epitome of nature’s beauty. This year, Navratri will culminate on Dussehra on October 12. Yellow colour is associated with goddess Shailputri, symbolizing happiness and optimism. It is associated with learning and knowledge.

Festivities kick off in Odisha

Devotees across Odisha also joined the rest of the country to celebrate the festival. Devotees thronged the Maa Bhatarika temple in Badamba, Cuttack to offer prayers. A special prayer was arranged.

A huge rush of devotees was witnessed at Chandipeetha in Cuttack. The goddess donned the ‘Jagadhatri Besha’ on the day. Similar was the scene at Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur, where people turned out in large numbers to offer prayers to the goddess. At the Samaleswari temple, then goddess donned the ‘Dhabalamukhi Besha.’ The deity adorns this besha for only two-and-a-half days and is seen in her usual red avatar during rest of the year.