On the first day of Chaitra Navratri on Saturday, devotees thronged temples across India. This year, Chaitra Navratri is being observed from April 6 to 14. It is also celebrated as new year by Hindus or Hindu Nav Varsh.
Kalkaji temple and Jhandewalan temple were decked up in flowers as people gathered to attend the first 'Aarti' of the nine-day-long festivities.
Delhi: #Visuals from Jhandewalan temple on the first day of #Navratri pic.twitter.com/WxdiScYMmQ
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2019
Delhi: 'Aarti' being performed at Kalkaji temple on the first day of #Navratri pic.twitter.com/wG2SoLCbEy
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2019
Mumbai: 'Aarti' being performed at Mumba Devi Temple on the first day of #Navratri pic.twitter.com/e7xZwOV6Cf
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019
#Visuals from Badi Devkali Devi Temple in Ayodhya on the first day of #Navratri pic.twitter.com/d18JTCHg7h
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 6, 2019
Varanasi: Devotees form queue outside Durga Kund Temple on the first day of #Navratri pic.twitter.com/WSm9joU3YR
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 6, 2019
Nine 'avatars' or incarnations of Goddess Durga, namely Shailputri, Chandraghata, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidaatri, are worshipped during Chaitra Navratri - one on each day.
The festival culminates on April 14 with Rama Navami, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama. During these nine days, devotees observe fasts and perform pujas. Flowers, fruits and other offerings are made to the deity by devotees as they seek peace and prosperity in the year that follows.