Prayagraj: Chanting ‘Jai Mata Di', and holding coconuts, bangles, and red 'chunri' (scarf) in their hands, thousands of devotees thronged various city temples on the first day of Shardiya Navratri on Thursday. The nine-day festival, marked by nine days of fasting and worshipping, is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms.
Long queues of devotees were seen outside prominent temples of the Sangam city, including Kalyani Devi temple, Alopibagh, and Lalita Devi- which is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth. Many of the smaller temples also witnessed a heavy rush of devotees for the entire day. The idols of these temples were all decked up with colourful streamers and marigold flowers.
Meanwhile, restaurants and sweet shops across the city also did brisk business during the festival as Navratri thalis are very popular among denizens, fasting or not. "A Navratri thali usually consists of kuttu ki roti/puri, fried potatoes, saboodana ki tikki or khichdi, kheer, saboodana papad, and pakodas," said Nalini, a 47-year-old foodie, who eagerly awaits the festival to gorge on the festival special food.
"I went to the Kalyani Devi temple with my family to get blessings from Mata Rani and worshipped the deity with coconuts and a chunni," said 65-year-old Naresh Pal, a resident of Dhoomanganj. "My daughter Shweta has planted grains of barley in a pot as part of the festival rituals, and her family would worship the pot throughout the nine days," he added. This custom is indicative of fertility and is known as ‘khetri'.
In these nine days, many men do not shave or cut hair. The festival is also known for fasting and irrespective of age, devotees survive on fruits, curd, milk, and dishes made of water chestnut flour and swang rice. Rock salt replaces the normal salt for those who are fasting.
