Navratri Day 1: Devotees Throng Temples From Katra to Varanasi

Surat: The Juna Ambaji Temple is about 400 years old, according to priest Jitendra Bharti Goswami. He said Chhatrapati Shivaji visited it before his military campaigns, and that Mahatma Gandhi also came for darshan.

Prayagraj: Chief priest Mansukh Maharaj said the Alop Shankari Shaktipeeth is associated with the belief that Mata Sati’s ring finger fell here and became invisible, hence the name “Alopi Mata.”

Dewas: “Having darshan on the first day is considered a new beginning in one’s life,” said Harshal, a priest at the Badi Mata Temple.

Why It Matters: A New Beginning After Pitru Paksha

Navratri follows Pitru Paksha, the period of remembering ancestors, when many families avoid new beginnings. As a Prayagraj purohit noted, devotees were collecting Ganga water and soil for home worship now that Pitru Paksha has ended. That is why Day 1 crowds are especially large: for many, it marks a fresh start, with Ghatasthapana performed at home and temples alike.

Planning a Temple Visit During Navratri?

• Vaishno Devi: Collect your RFID yatra card before starting; expect long queues during Navratri.
• Go early: Morning aartis draw the biggest crowds, so arrive well in advance.
• Follow temple advisories: Many shrines change timings and queue systems during the festival.

The Bottom Line

From the hills of Katra to the ghats of Varanasi, Navratri began with packed temples and deep devotion, and the crowds are only expected to grow as the festival moves towards Dussehra on October 20.

With inputs from IANS.