Śāradīya Navarātri begins with crowds at Vaishno Devi, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Mumba Devi
The first day, marked by Ghaṭasthāpana and worship of Śailaputrī, drew large crowds at Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, the Maa Shailputri temple in Varanasi, Alop Shankari Shaktipeeth in Prayagraj, Shri Mumba Devi in Mumbai, Mansa Devi in Haridwar, Kamakhya in Guwahati, and Chhatarpur and Kali Bari in Delhi.
- IANS
The first day, marked by Ghaṭasthāpana and worship of Śailaputrī, drew large crowds at Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, the Maa Shailputri temple in Varanasi, Alop Shankari Shaktipeeth in Prayagraj, Shri Mumba Devi in Mumbai, Mansa Devi in Haridwar, Kamakhya in Guwahati, and Chhatarpur and Kali Bari in Delhi.
Key data
At Surat's Juna Ambaji temple, about 400 years old according to its priest, devotees began arriving at 3 am.
Why it matters
Navarātri opens India's biggest festive and pilgrimage season, and crowd management at major shrines is tested for nine days.
GK: did you know?
The Devī Māhātmya, about 700 verses recited throughout Navarātri, forms chapters 81 to 93 of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa.
