This year, Navratri celebrations are subdued due to the COVID pandemic. Temples and other religious places have been asked to follow strict protocols.
The festival of Navratri holds special importance in Hindu mythology. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil, the awakening of the divine feminine. The festival is celebrated twice a year with different significance. The Sharad Navratri that starts at the beginning of winter (between September and October) is the more popular Navratri. The Chaitra Navratri is celebrated in the month of March-April. This year Chaitra Navratri started on April 13 and would end on April 21.
This year, Navratri celebrations are subdued due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Temples and other religious places have been asked to follow strict COVID protocols.
1. Maa Jhandewalan Temple
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On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, the morning 'aarti' was performed at the Jhandewalan temple in the presence of priests and their family members on Tuesday (April 13). In view of rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital, the temple has been closed for the general public.
In the photo, a worker sanitises the Jhandewalan Devi temple premises on the eve of Navratri festival amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo)
2. Mata Vaishno Devi
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Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra on Tuesday welcomed pilgrims on the first day of Navratri with all COVID-19 protocols in place. (ANI Photo)
3. Kalkaji Temple
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In an effort to restrict the number of visitors amid rising COVID-19 numbers, the Kalkaji Temple in the national capital has introduced e-passes for the entry of devotees on the occasion of the Navratri. Elaborating on the newly-introduced e-pass mechanism at the Kalkaji Temple, the head priest Surrender Nath said, "We had a meeting with local administration in which we have decided that only devotees with an e-pass will be allowed in the temple. To regulate numbers, devotees will be given a particular day and time to visit the temple. The link will be available on the temple website."Due to the night curfew, the temple will remain open between 6 am to 8 pm, he added. Devotees have been advised to wear masks and use sanitisers to protect themselves from the deadly virus. As per government guidelines, no offerings have been allowed in the temple. Several markings have done for social distancing to maintain the crowd. Temple administration has advised senior citizens not to come temple as COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly. (ANI Photo)
4. Banaras Durga Mandir
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In Varanasi, a large number of devotees offered prayers at the Durga temple. A priest said, "There is a lot of crowd here. The COVID-19 appropriate behaviour has been asked to be followed." (Photo: ANI)
5. PM MOdi extends wishes on Navratri
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended his wishes on the beginning of Navratri and offered his wishes to various regions and communities celebrating the new year as per their traditional calendar.
नवरात्रि की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं... pic.twitter.com/xc0E1A1BKI
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 13, 2021
Taking to twitter PM Modi said, "Over the next few days, people across India are going to be marking various festivals. These festivals showcase India's diversity and the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.' May these special occasions spread happiness, prosperity, and brotherhood across the nation." (Photo: ANI)
