Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 extended greetings to fellow Indians on the first day of Navratri, wishing everyone an “auspicious” festival. “I wish all my countrymen a very Happy Navratri. May this holy festival dedicated to Shakti Vandana prove to be auspicious for everyone. Jai Mata Di!” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.
समस्त देशवासियों को नवरात्रि की असीम शुभकामनाएं। शक्ति-वंदना को समर्पित यह पावन पर्व हर किसी के लिए शुभकारी सिद्ध हो, यही कामना है। जय माता दी!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2024
“On the first day of Navratri, I pray to Maa Shailputri with folded hands! May everyone be blessed by her grace. This prayer to the Ma is for all of you,” he wrote on X.
नवरात्रि के पहले दिन मां शैलपुत्री की करबद्ध प्रार्थना! उनकी कृपा से हर किसी का कल्याण हो। देवी मां की यह स्तुति आप सबके लिए… pic.twitter.com/sFCnbXSHys
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2024
Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his wishes to the fellow Indians , praying for the “welfare, happiness and peace” for the world on the auspicious occassion.
“Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the sacred festival of Navratri. Navratri is a great festival of worship of Shakti, accumulation of spiritual energy and worship of nine forms of Ma Ambe, the mother of the universe. I pray to Ma Durga for the welfare, happiness and peace of the entire world,” Amit Shah wrote in a post on X.
समस्त देशवासियों को नवरात्रि के पावन पर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।
नवरात्रि, शक्ति की आराधना, आध्यात्मिक ऊर्जा के संचय और जगत जननी माँ अम्बे के नौ रूपों की उपासना का महापर्व है। माँ दुर्गा से समस्त विश्व के कल्याण, सुख और शांति की कामना करता हूँ।
जय माता दी! pic.twitter.com/AENsH9GnPQ
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 3, 2024
Temples across the country witnessed a surge of devotees coming together to celebrate the first day of the nine-day festival dedicated to worshipping Ma Durga.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Devotees offer prayers at Nimtala Ghat Mata Temple in Kolkata on the first day of Sharadiya Navratri. pic.twitter.com/OrwiK1SqiC
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024
In Delhi, the Shri Adhya Katyayani Shaktipith Mandir in Chhatarpur saw a vibrant Aarti ceremony, drawing a large crowd of worshippers eager to participate in the auspicious rituals. In Haryana, the Shree Mata Bheemeshvari Devi Mandir (Beri Wali Mata) in Jhajjar also attracted numerous devotees, who gathered for an Aarti to honor the Ma on this special day.
#WATCH | Devotees offer prayers at Shri Kalka Ji temple in Delhi on the occasion of the first day of Sharadiya Navratri. pic.twitter.com/zzMNk7wr5K
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024
Large numbers flocked to the Badi Devkali Devi Temple in Ayodhya The atmosphere was charged with spirituality as devotees offered prayers and celebrated the start of Navratri.
A large crowd gathered at the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir, with the chants of “Jai Mata Di” resonating throughout the area as devotees lined up to catch a glimpse of the revered deity.
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Devotees throng Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Katra on the first day of Sharadiya Navratri. pic.twitter.com/9if1fO9LbC
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared his wishes with the public in a post on X, expressing hopes for “happiness, peace, and prosperity” for the fellow countrymen.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Devotees offer prayers at Kali Bari Temple in Lucknow on the first day of Sharadiya Navratri. pic.twitter.com/iRXeWdlp8n
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2024
“Wishing all devotees and residents of the state a heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the sacred festival of worshipping Adi Shakti Maa Durga, ‘Sharadiya Navratri’! May Maa Bhagwati bless everyone’s life with happiness, peace, prosperity, and good health. This is my prayer,” CM Yogi wrote in a post on X.
सर्वमङ्गलमङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके।
शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते॥सभी भक्तों एवं प्रदेश वासियों को आदिशक्ति माँ दुर्गा की उपासना के पावन महापर्व 'शारदीय नवरात्रि' की हार्दिक बधाई व शुभकामनाएं!
माँ भगवती सभी के जीवन को सुख-शांति, समृद्धि व आरोग्यता से अभिसिंचित… pic.twitter.com/Rnd6fBCn4T
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 2, 2024
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended his greetings to the people, emphasising the significance of Navratri in worshipping and respecting the divine feminine. “Navratri holds special significance as we worship the various forms of Maa Durga. This festival symbolises the power of women and is a reflection of our culture and traditions,” he said in a statement.
In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Durga Puja celebrations at Jodhpur Park on October 2. In her address, she highlighted the importance of unity and inclusivity, wishing for everyone’s well-being during the festivities.
“I hope Maa Durga keeps everyone healthy. We respect all religions, castes, and languages. While the administration is with you, it is also important that you support us during the puja,” she said.
Shardiya Navratri is a vibrant and sacred Hindu festival that spans nine nights, celebrating the divine feminine energy embodied by Ma Durga. Observed in the lunar month of Ashwin, this festival is marked by fervent worship, elaborate rituals, and cultural performances.
Each day is dedicated to a different form of the Ma, symbolising various aspects of strength, compassion, and wisdom. Devotees engage in fasting, singing devotional songs, and participating in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, creating a joyful atmosphere.
(with inputs from ANI)
