Thousands of devotees flocked to the famous Shri Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Ashtami, turning the hilltop Shaktipeeth into a buzzing hub of celebration during Navratri. From early morning, crowds poured in to offer prayers to Goddess Durga’s eighth form, Mata Mahagauri, hoping for peace, prosperity, and family blessings.
Pilgrims traveled from nearby states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar to join the rituals. They lined up for darshan and took part in traditional Ashtami pujan, including special havan ceremonies at the ancient Havan Kund inside the temple complex.
SDM Dharampal, who oversees the temple trust and mela as chairman, said arrangements for the Ashtami puja wrapped up well in advance. “We’re guiding devotees through organized queues for smooth darshan, and making sure everyone stays comfortable,” he added. The district administration and Himachal Pradesh government stepped up with strong crowd control and safety plans to manage the huge rush.
Priest Lucky Sharma highlighted the day’s special touches. “On Ashtami, we offer Mataji her favorite Kadah Prasad and perform ahutis—sacred offerings—into the Havan Kund to invite her blessings,” he explained. “Devotees are arriving in droves, and we’re holding special Aarti all day long.”
Over in Delhi, the iconic Jhandewalan Mata Temple saw the same wave of devotion. Long queues formed early as people came to honor the goddess and join Ashtami rituals during Navratri. One regular visitor shared, “We’ve made this trip for 10 to 12 years now, especially during Navratri. The setup has improved so much—everything runs smoothly these days, with no hassles.”
As Navratri unfolds, these temples captured the spirit of unity and reverence for divine feminine energy, drawing worshippers from across India in a shared festival of faith.
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