Prayagraj: Chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’ and singing bhajans, scores of devotees carrying coconuts, bangles, sindoor, flowers and red chunris thronged decorated temples on Sunday on the first day of Shardiya Navratri to seek blessings. Devotees visited several shrines, including Kalyani Devi temple, Alopibagh and Lalita Devi temple, which is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths in Prayagraj.Navratri, marked by nine days of fasting and worshipping, is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Moreover, devotees of all age groups also took a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, on the first day of Navratri.The management committee of Kalyani Devi temple has banned clicking selfies on temple premises, citing inconvenience to other devotees.Chief priest Shyam Ji Pathak told TOI, “Those taking selfie at temple campus often cause inconvenience to other devotees during darshan.”Sparkling lights and colourful decorations have added to the spiritual fervour and gaiety in the city, with devotees setting out on darshan of the deity since early morning to seek the blessings of Goddess amid multi-tier security arrangements. The temple management committees have too made elaborate arrangements for Navratri to ensure a comfortable visit for the devotees.Noted religious scholar Dr. Amitabh Gour says, “During these nine days, nine different avatars of Maa Durga will be prayed to seek her blessings. Majority of devotees observe fast, and perform yajna and puja. .”Devotees started reaching temples in the early hours and all temples witnessed a rush of devotees for the entire day.The idols of these temples were all decked up with colourful streamers and marigold flowers. Meanwhile, restaurants and sweet shops across the city also did brisk business as, during the festival, Navratri thalis are very popular among denizens, whether they are fasting or not.“I, along with my family members, visited the temple to get blessings from Maa Durga and offered sweets, coconuts and a chunari,” said Anjali Bhargava, a resident of Civil Lines. “My family members also planted grains of barley in a ‘Kalash’ as part of the festival rituals. This custom is indicative of fertility and is known as Khetri,” she added. This festival is also known for fasting and, irrespective of age, devotees survive on fruits, curd, milk and dishes made of water chestnut flour and swang rice. Rock salt replaces the normal salt for those who are fasting.Meanwhile, in view of the Navratri festive season, the officials of the Commissionerate of Police (Prayagraj) on Sunday intensified the crowd and traffic management exercise after witnessing the rush of devotees. Senior cops also activated all their anti-Romeo squads across the district. Cops in plain clothes have also been roped in at market areas to keep an eye on troublemakers. Duties of policemen have also been assigned at static locations.
