Heavy rush of devotees at Bawe Wali Mata, other temples as Navratras begin

Devotees paying obeisance at Bawe Wali Mata temple in Jammu on first Navratra. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Devotees paying obeisance at Bawe Wali Mata temple in Jammu on first Navratra. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 22: As holy Navratras of nine auspicious days began today, heavy rush of devotees was witnessed in the Devi temples across Jammu region, particularly at Bawe Wali Mata temple inside Bahu Fort in Jammu.
For the auspicious occasion, temples and shrines have been beautifully decorated and special arrangements were seen put in place for convenience of the visiting devotees, who thronged the temples since wee hours and offered prayers amid rituals.
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Heavy rush of devotees, both male and female besides children, was seen at Bawe Wali Mata temple throughout the day. People were seen waiting in long queues for their turn to pay their obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. They were carrying Prasad and flowers for offering the same before the idol of Kali Mata at the temple.
Special arrangements were made for the occasion while Bhandaras (community kitchens) were also organized by the devotees at Bawe Wali Mata temple.
Rush of devotees was also seen at Kol Kandoli temple, which is revered as the first darshan to the pilgrimage of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra. Similarly at Chichi Mata temple in Samba, Sukrala and Sundrikot temples in Billawar, Jasrota temple of Kali Mata, Bala Sundri temple in Nagri Parole and other temples, hundreds of devotees paid their obeisance on the first Navratra.
Besides the temple management committees, the authorities have also made elaborate arrangements in view of the ongoing Navratras, which began today with sowing of holy Saakh (barley), a compulsory ritual associated with the Navratras.