Ambikapur: Crowd of faith gathered in Mahamaya Darbar, 5400 Jyoti Kalash lit on the first day

Ambikapur. On the first day of Chaitra Navratri, a crowd of people of faith gathered at the Shaktipeeths around Surguja district. From Maa Mahamaya temple in Ambikapur to Durga and Kali temples, there were long queues of devotees since morning. The nine-day festival started grandly with special puja and lighting of Jyoti Kalash.

With the beginning of Chaitra Navratri, a huge crowd of devotees was seen in the major Shaktipeeths of the city including Maa Mahamaya Temple. According to tradition, Baiga performed the first puja early in the morning at 4 o’clock, after which the priests performed the rituals and opened the doors of the temple for the devotees.

There was an influx of devotees in the temple premises since morning, which continued till afternoon. During Navratri, the doors of the temple will remain open throughout the day, so that the devotees coming from far away places can get the convenience of darshan.

More than 5400 Jyoti Kalash lit
On the first day of Navratri, more than 5400 Manokamana Jyoti Kalash were lit in Maa Mahamaya Temple. These include about 3600 oil jyoti and more than 1800 ghee jyoti. Along with this, devotees also sought wishes by lighting Jyoti Kalash in Durga Temple, Kali Temple and other Shaktipeeths.

Long queues of devotees in every temple
Devotees continued arriving at the Durga Temple at Gandhi Chowk, Vanadevi Temple at Sandbar, Harkeval Das Durga Temple and various Kali temples of the city since morning for worship. There were long queues in many temples till noon and the whole atmosphere echoed with the chants of “Jai Mata Di”.

In view of the increasing crowd during Navratri, the administration has made strict security arrangements. Police personnel have been deployed at Maa Mahamaya Temple and other major temples. There is a ban on entry of four-wheelers in the temple premises. Arrangements have been made for the devotees to reach the temple via Chandni Chowk. Separate parking arrangements have been made for two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

Additional police force has been deployed to maintain smooth traffic in the city, so that the devotees do not face any problem and the festival can be completed peacefully.