Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 30: Along with other parts of the country, Chaitra Navratri began here today amid prayers to various forms of Goddess Shakti and observing of fast by the devotees.
A large number of devotees visited Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Bawe Wali Mata in Jammu, and other temples of Goddess across the region for paying their obeisance. Rush of devotees was witnessed in these temples and shrines throughout the day.
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Special arrangements for the devotees were at place at beautifully decorated Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, Bawe Wali Mata and other prominent temples in the region.
As a ritual, barley seeds were sown in the Pooja rooms of the houses on first day of the Navratri. It represents prosperity, growth and wealth. It is believed that if the barley grow tall, it brings good fortune to the family.
People exchanged greetings of Navratri and the new year as the occasion also marks the beginning of Hindu calendar; first day of first month Chaitra and hence named as Chaitra Navratri.
Pertinent to mention that during the Chaitra Navratri, the nine days are dedicated to worshipping the nine forms of Goddess Shakti and most of the rituals and customs are same as followed during the ‘Shardiya Navratri’.
Besides praying, several devotees observe fast on all nine days of the Navratri. Consumption of non-vegetarian food and also use of onion as well as garlic are strictly avoided in maximum Hindu families during the Navratri.
As during the Navratri time, Goddess Shakti manifests herself in three forms, namely, Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the pooja rituals of Navratri are also categorised in set of three days, with each set dedicated to a particular Goddess. The first three days of Chaitra Navratri are dedicated to Maa Durga- the Goddess of Energy and on the next three days to Maa Lakshmi- the Goddess of Wealth while the last three days are devoted to Maa Saraswati- the Goddess of Knowledge.
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