Devotees Throng To Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

A large number of devotees visited the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra on October 15, the first day of Navratri. The temple was adorned with thousands of multi-hued flowers to welcome the pilgrims. Devotees from far-away places thronged to the temple to offer prayers on the first day of Navratri. “We have come here from UP's Muzaffarnagar. We are going to Bhawan to offer prayers. A large number of people have come here on the occasion of Navratri...” said a devotee. During the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga’s nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri. People maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes during these nine days. In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives.