Sharda Temple in Kashmir (Left), Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Right)
On October 17, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that it is a matter of profound spiritual significance that for the first time since 1947, the Navaratri pujas have been held in the historic Sharda Temple in Kashmir this year.
In a social media post on X, the Union Home Minister said, “It is a matter of profound spiritual significance that for the first time since 1947, the Navaratri pujas have been held in the historic Sharda Temple in Kashmir this year. Earlier in the year the Chaitra Navaratri Puja was observed and now the mantras of the Shardiya Navaratri puja resound in the shrine. I was fortunate to reopen the temple on 23rd March 2023 after restoration.”
He said that this not only signifies the return of peace in the valley but also marks the rekindling of our nation’s spiritual and cultural flame under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes.In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives.
Over the next nine days, devotees offer their prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts. The festival of Navaratri honours the defeat of the demonic Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The 10th day of Sharad Navaratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
Ramlila is organised extensively during Navaratri in North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. During the Ramlila, the tale of Lord Ram’s triumph over Ravana is acted out.
Numerous dances, including Garba and Dandiya Raas, are performed during the nine-day festival. While Dandiya Raas involves dancing with dandiya sticks to the beat of the music, Garba is a traditional dance in which participants clap their hands and move in a circle while making rhythmic gestures.The effigies of King Ravana are burned on Dussehra to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
(with inputs from ANI)
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