Chaitra Navratri 2021: Devotees stood out for 'darshan' of Goddess on Ashtami, as temples remained closed in Madhya Pradesh
Due to second wave of Corona period, devotees are worshiping the Goddess safely in homes and accumulating positive energy through worship during the nine-day-long Chaitra Navratri.
On the second last day, i.e. Ashtami, devotees offered prayers outside the temples, as the premise remained closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The temples are closed for devotees as the state government's restrictions will continue to remain in force, in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic.
The festival of Navratri holds special importance in Hindu mythology. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, the awakening of the divine feminine. The festival is celebrated twice a year with different significance.
The Ashwin Navratri that starts at the beginning of winter (between September and October) is the more popular Navratri. The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the month of March-April. This year Chaitra Navratri started from April 13 and would end on April 21.
Eighth day of nine-day Chaitra Navratri holds prime importance as Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on Navratri Maha Ashtami, said Pandit Ajit Upadhyaya.
Devotees believe that praying to Mahagauri helps them overcome all obstacles.
“Goddess was offered prayers to get relief from the pandemic like Covid-19 soon and provide happiness and prosperity to all,” Upadhyaya said.
Special worship of Goddess Bhagwati is going on in the Devi temples across the district, in which worship is being done by the priests of the temple alone.
According to the administration's instructions and guide line, worship is being done by the chief priests in all the temples. Along with this, temples are also being monitored to prevent the spread of infection due to the gathering of devotees anywhere.
Despite the importance and possible Yajna-Havan in temples, entry of devotees into the main temple, i.e. Garbgrah remained prohibited. The prohibition has been enforced to control the spread of coronavirus.
Jayendranand Giri from Annapurna Mata Temple said, “Shatchandi Havan was organised on the special occasion and the goddess was worshipped seeking healing of the country and world from coronavirus.”
“On Navami, there will be purna ahuti,” said Satish Van Goswami from Bijasan Temple. He added that Ghatasthapana was done on the first day.
In Kali Mata temple in Khajrana, Aarti was performed as per schedule and worship was organised only by the priest, said Gulshan Agarwal, the manager of Kali Mata temple, Khajrana.
“Devotees were able to see from outside the temple. The entire decoration of goddess was done by the management of the temple itself. The special thing is that goddess can also be seen from the main road,” Agarwal said.
On the second last day, i.e. Ashtami, devotees offered prayers outside the temples, as the premise remained closed due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The temples are closed for devotees as the state government's restrictions will continue to remain in force, in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic.
The festival of Navratri holds special importance in Hindu mythology. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, the awakening of the divine feminine. The festival is celebrated twice a year with different significance.
The Ashwin Navratri that starts at the beginning of winter (between September and October) is the more popular Navratri. The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the month of March-April. This year Chaitra Navratri started from April 13 and would end on April 21.
Eighth day of nine-day Chaitra Navratri holds prime importance as Goddess Mahagauri is worshipped on Navratri Maha Ashtami, said Pandit Ajit Upadhyaya.
Devotees believe that praying to Mahagauri helps them overcome all obstacles.
“Goddess was offered prayers to get relief from the pandemic like Covid-19 soon and provide happiness and prosperity to all,” Upadhyaya said.
Special worship of Goddess Bhagwati is going on in the Devi temples across the district, in which worship is being done by the priests of the temple alone.
According to the administration's instructions and guide line, worship is being done by the chief priests in all the temples. Along with this, temples are also being monitored to prevent the spread of infection due to the gathering of devotees anywhere.
Despite the importance and possible Yajna-Havan in temples, entry of devotees into the main temple, i.e. Garbgrah remained prohibited. The prohibition has been enforced to control the spread of coronavirus.
Jayendranand Giri from Annapurna Mata Temple said, “Shatchandi Havan was organised on the special occasion and the goddess was worshipped seeking healing of the country and world from coronavirus.”
“On Navami, there will be purna ahuti,” said Satish Van Goswami from Bijasan Temple. He added that Ghatasthapana was done on the first day.
In Kali Mata temple in Khajrana, Aarti was performed as per schedule and worship was organised only by the priest, said Gulshan Agarwal, the manager of Kali Mata temple, Khajrana.
“Devotees were able to see from outside the temple. The entire decoration of goddess was done by the management of the temple itself. The special thing is that goddess can also be seen from the main road,” Agarwal said.