Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: The nine -day long celebrations of Navratra have started all over Jammu region from first Navratra today. All the temples of Godess Durga were decorated with flowers and illuminated with lights by the devotees all over the region.
In connection with Navratra festival, a nine -day long Chhat Chandi Maha Yagya organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board started at holy cave Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra today amidst the chanting of Vedic Mantras and performance of other religious ceremonies.
The Maha Yagya, which is performed at holy Cave Shrine during Navratras for peace and prosperity will conclude with Puran Ahuti on Mahanavmi.
Meanwhile, 26,000 devotees have reached holy shrine from different parts of country to perform the darshan on the occasion of first Navratra today.
Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, Dr M K Kumar its Additional Chief Executive Officer, Ranjeet Singh, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bhawan and other officers of the Board besides a large number of pilgrims were present on the occasion of Maha Yagya.
The Bhawan of Mata, Atka and the area surrounding it were decorated with flowers. The Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements for the large number of pilgrims expected to visit the holy cave during the Navratras.
Thousands of pilgrims visited Bhawe Wali Mata Temple at Bahufort here on the first Navratra today and there was a bee line of pilgrims waiting in long queues for darshan in the holy shrine from early morning. The rush increased on the passing of the day and it continued up to late night.
As per reports from Kathua and Samba districts thousands of pilgrims performed darshan at Sukhrala Mata Mandir, Billawar, Joda Wali Mata Mandir, Jasrota Mata Temple in Kathua district and Cheechi Mata Temple in Samba district on first Navratra today.
The nine -day long Ram Leela also started at Basholi and Kathua townships this evening. The Basohli town is famous for staging Ram Leela all over country.
On the occasion first Navratra the sacred Akhand Jyoti of Shree Merhada Mata Ji was lit at Udhampur to mark the beginning of Navratras. The holy temple of Merhada Mata is situated at hillock in between village Barmeen and Ghordi of tehsil Ramnagar. The president of Merhada Mata Management Committee, Barmeen, Bhupinder Singh was present on the occasion.
The Akhand Jyoti of Mata will remain for the public darshan at village Ghordi from today to third Navratra and it will be carried to Merhada Mata on fourth Navratra morning by thousands of devotees amid chanting of Bhajan and Kirtan.
Similarly Akhand Jyoti of Merhada Mata lit at Barmeen would remain at the village Barmeen up to fifth Navratra and it will be carried to Marada Mata of sixth Navratra.
On the occasion of first Navratra the religious functions started at various temples and Ashrams also. The nine -day long function started at Bhagawan Gopinath Ji Ashram with Mahayagya and Pooja . The Yagya will culminate on Ninth Navratra with Pooranahuti and devotees will be served with Prashad.
The Navratra celebrations also started at Gokul Dham Ambica Vihar, Gole Gujral today and a large number of devotees thronged the Ashram on the first day of Navratra to participate in the religious function and pay their obeisance to Mata Sheelputri. Besides, the nine -day long celebrations started at Sanjeevani Kutair Anand Nagar, Bohri under the supervision of Anand Swami Pran Nath Bhat “Gareeb” Bhai Jee and Geeta Satsang Ashram, Muthi under the supervision of Swami Kumar Ji.
The functions also started in all other temples of Godess Durga in the region. These temples were fully decorated by the devotees. Devotees also sow Saakh in the temples and at their residences on the occasion of first Navratra today. After performing pooja for nine days the Saakh will be immersed in rivers with full religious fervour on the culmination of Navratra festival.
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