Chaitra Navratri ’22: Devotees bow to Goddess Durga, Pray in Temples, holy rivers

Prayag/New Delhi: Devotees of Goddess Durga reach temples to pay their annual obeisance, bathe in holy rivers and take pilgrim to holy places across the country as the Chaitra Navaratra week progresses. Beginning with Maa Shailputri puja at Katra in the foothills of Trikuta Parvat in Jammu, near Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine to dipping themselves on the Ghats of Ganga in Prayagraj  to holy beaches at Ganga Sagar in West Bengal, the Durga devotees are unfolding their pilgrimage schedules after 2-year of Covid-19 restrictions.

The Chaitra Navaratras started on April 2 with Maa Shailputri puja in Katra, Jammu with hundreds of devotees thronging the Path to Mata Vaishno Devi temple and will culminate with Maa Durga Puja on Sunday, the 10th of April.  Many devoted families who could not pack their travel bags, especially the ladies, are completing their Puja at home by growing wheat/barley bunches and bowing to ‘holy Kalash’ full of Ganga Jal.

Durga Navaratras is a very significant and holy festival of North India, West Bengal and part of Central India, marking the beginning of New Vikrami Samvat (2079) of Hindu calendar in the country. States of Maharashtra, Andhra, Karnataka begin it with celebration of Gudi Padva while Southern region and North Eastern states prepare for Bihu. Punjab adds colors to their joy with Baisakhi, the festival of reaping their bumper crops of wheat on April 13 with Bhangra dances and gaiety. This also marks the beginning of summer season in India. (pics-Credit.. ABP Live)