Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 31: Amid Vedic chants and religious ambiance, alarge number of devotees today thronged temples dedicated to Goddess Durga here to observe the first Navratra - the auspicious festival of nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms.All city temples, especially those of GoddessDurga, witnessed a rush of devotees since early this morning but huge rush of devotees was seen at the historic Kali Temple at Bahu Fort, popularly known as 'Bawe Wali Mata', where thousands of devotees drawn from different parts of Jammu city and adjoining areas visited from wee hours today.
Barefoot devotees carrying 'chunris', bangles, vermilion and other religious item soffered to Goddess Durga, were seen eagerly waiting in serpentine lines to pay obeisance to the deity.
The temple has been embellished with electronic lights aptly to Navratra festivity, whilesecurity blanket remained beefed up in and around the temple. According to Hindu calendar, Navratri is celebrated twice a year -- during spring and autumn also known as Chaitra Navratras and Sharad Navratra.Commencing on, March 31, Chaitra Navratri ends on April 7, 2014 with Ram Navmi celebrations.Religious festivity gripped the Jammu region, including holy town of Katra as the auspicious nine-day long festival began from today.A devotee visiting Bawe Wali Mata (Bahu temple) Ashish Gupta said, 'Today is the first day of Navratri, so I have come here along with my family to pay obeisance to Goddess Durga."We have full faith in our deity and believe that all our prayers offered during the period would be answered.' An alert has already been sounded in the region and tight security blanket has been put in place across the region. |
