Uttar Pradesh: Navratra to start from Apr 07

Lucknow, Apr 6: Religious fervour is in the air with the holy 'Navsanvatsar' and 'Chaitra Navratra' commencing from tomorrow. This time, the Navratra would be celebrated for eight days beginning from tomorrow and ending on April 14, whereas in 'Navsanvatsar,' Godess Bhagvati would be worshipped altogether for nine days, sources said today.

Devotees have started thronging in the famous temples of the state, including Shaktipeeth Vindhyachal, Lalita Devi temple in Sitapur, Pateshvari Devi Sidhpeeth in Balrampur, where various fairs would also be organised. Security has been beefed up at renowned temples and public places to avert any terrorist move.

According to reports received from Mirzapur, Vindhyachal Navratra mela will commence with gaiety and pious sentiments in Vindhya area. As many as 25 lakh devouts are expected to congregate here this time. Posse of paramilitary force and civil police jawans would be garrisoned in the mela precincts, sources informed.

In 'garbh grah,' no one, including the VVIPs, would be allowed to touch the feets of Godess Vindhyavasini. However, the entry time for 'darshan-pujan' has been fixed for VIPs.

However, breaking of cocunuts and use of mobile phones would be restricted in the mela premises. In Sitapur, a beeline of devotees for paying obeissance at Lalita Debi Shaktipeeth can be spotted. Similarly in Balrampar and Mainpuri, devotees from various states have started coming to Pateshvari Devi Sidhpeeth and Godess Sheetla Devi temple. The same view could be captured in Jaunpur's Godess Sheetla and Sharda Sidhpeeths.

Arrangements for the holy Navratra have already been completed at various Devkali temples in Ayodhya and Faizabad, sources said. Ayodhya's famous Ram Navmi mela is also beginning from tomorrow and would end on April 16. Superintendent of Police, Ayodhya city, Gopesh Nath Khanna said stringent security cover has been made in the mela area.

UNI