As the festival of Sharadiya Navaratri begins, temples across the country witnessed a surge of devotees coming together to celebrate the fifth day of the nine-day festival dedicated to worshipping Ma Durga.
Many people flocked to temples across the nation to worship Maa Durga as the Aarti was performed. The atmosphere was charged with spirituality as devotees offered prayers and celebrated the Navratri with great devotion.
The morning aarti was performed at the Jhandewalan temple in the national capital on October 7, morning on the occasion of the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri. On this day, Ma Durga is worshipped in the form of Mata Skandamata.
#WATCH | Delhi: Aarti is being performed at Jhandewala Devi Mandir on the occasion of the fifth day of Shardiya Navaratri.
Mata Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. pic.twitter.com/FSEEHhWuC5
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
Meanwhile, in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the youth performed Garba with flambeau and performed raas on burning embers during the festival of Navratri.
#WATCH | Gujarat: Carrying aflame 'indhoni' on their head, women perform the traditional Indhoni Raas Garba in Jamnagar. (06.10.2024)
Indhoni is a pot holder used in Indian culture to hold a 'kalash' on the head. pic.twitter.com/u8oljEH0Fu
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2024
In Madhya Pradesh, inmates performed the Garba dance on the occasion of Navaratri at Indore Central Jail.
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Inmates perform Garba dance on the occasion of Navaratri at Indore Central Jail. pic.twitter.com/SoqENpO9gM
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
Moreover, in West Bengal, a Durga Puja pandal is being made based on the theme of ‘The Sphere’ built at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata. Various images and light play were seen on the huge sphere with 11D movies inside the sphere.
#WATCH | West Bengal: A Durga Puja pandal based on the theme of 'The Sphere' built at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata
Various images and light play can be seen on this huge sphere with 11D movies inside the sphere (06.10) pic.twitter.com/kGE6EpeBHM
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2024
Aarti is being performed at Shri Adhya Katyayani Shaktipith Mandir in Delhi’s Chhatarpur on the occasion of the fifth day of Shardiya Navaratri. Mata Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri.
#WATCH | Delhi: Aarti is being performed at Shri Adhya Katyayani Shaktipith Mandir in Chhatarpur on the occasion of the fifth day of Shardiya Navaratri.
Mata Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. pic.twitter.com/2R0UqlTLqv
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2024
In Uttar Pradesh, the Devotees offered prayers at Badi Devkali Devi Temple in Ayodhya, on the fifth day of Shardiya Navaratri. A large number of devotees also gathered at the Kanaka Durga Temple to witness the worship Ma Durga.
According to mythology, Ma Skandamata is four-armed and is riding on a lion. On one hand, Skandamata is holding her son Skanda or Kartikeya. Kartikeya, the son of Bhagwan Shiva and Ma Parvati, is also known as Skanda.
Bhagwan Skanda was trained by Ma Parvati, hence the fifth form of Ma Durga is called Skandamata.
It is believed that worshipping Ma Skandamata fulfils all the wishes of devotees and brings happiness in life and the wishes of having children get fulfilled.
In North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, the Ramlila, a dramatic re-enactment of scenes from the Ramayana, is organised.
The festival concludes with Vijayadashami, marked by the burning of King Ravana’s effigies.
During Sharadiya Navaratri, Sri Kanakadurga is adorned as Sri Maha Chandika Devi. Sri Maha Chandika embodies the ‘Trishakti’ aspect of Mahalakshmi, Mahakali, and Mahasaraswati. She was born to fulfill divine purposes, punish the wicked, and protect the righteous.
Within Sri Chandika Devi, many deities are enshrined. Worshiping Sri Maha Chandika is akin to worshiping all deities; through her grace, one attains knowledge, fame, and wealth, and enemies turn into friends. All desires prayed for are granted swiftly.
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.
Navratri days hold great significance among Hindus and these days are celebrated with great grandeur. The seventh day of Navratri is dedicated to worshipping ‘Maa Kaalratri’, the fierce manifestation of Ma Durga. She is also known as a destroyer of demons, evil spirits, and negative energies. She helps the devotees to remove the darkness.
(with inputs from ANI)
