Devotees throng temples during Navratras

Shimla, Oct 19 (UNI) Devotees of Maa Durga in thousands are paying visits to the temples of Maa Bhagwati (Durga) in various parts of the state amidst tight security measures taken by the government to prevent any untoward during the festivals.

Himachal Pradesh is the abode of Maa Bhagwati and its temples are located at Jawalaji, Chintpurni, Chamunda, Nainadevi and other interiors areas of the district.

Maa Bhagwati and Lord Shiva are mainly worshipped in the area and every village has its own small or big temples of Maa Bhagwati or Lord Shiva.

There are temples of other Gods in the state also and in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Sirmaur, local devtas and devis also matter a lot.

Though devotees from the state are taking active part in the celebrations of navratras yet the influx of devotees from UP, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and Delhi has added to the rush of the pilgrims this time.

Attired in light yellow dresses, these people worship the Goddess and seek her blessings for them and their families.

A large number of devotees from foreign countries are also taking part in the festivals in the temples of Maa Brijeshwari in Kangra, Chamunda and Jawalaji.

Following the bomb blasts in Ajmer and Ludiana recently the metal detectors have been introduced in the temple of Maa Brijeshwari in Kangra for the first time, besides posting of armed police personals at the vintage points of the temple.

Keeping in view of the heavy rush of devotees visiting the Kangra temple, girl students of the NSS wing of the DAV College Kangra have been performing traffic duty these days to extend a helping hand to the police personals to maintain the traffic in the town.

An official spokesman told this reporter today that despite heavy rush of the pilgrims visiting various temples in the state, the law and order situation is under control and no unwanted incident had so for been reported from any area of the state.

UNI