Even as Haridwar started wearing a festive look to welcome the advent of Chaitra Navratri (nine auspicious nights) and the Hindu New Year known as Nav Samvatsar, devotees are confused with the priests divided over the actual Navratri dates. While some say that it started on Tuesday, others are of the view that it would start from Wednesday only.
However, despite the confusion lingering over the date, the people keep thronging the shops bedecked for the occasion and the vendors are having brisk business selling prasad and puja paraphernalia while dotting the roads leading to the temples. At the famous Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples, a throng of devotees was seen queuing up since the morning to tie the holy threads meant for wish fulfillment. Mantras chanted to propitiate the goddess for prosperity were heard reverberating in the air. People in their hordes thronged Har Ki Pauri for holy dip too.
Speaking to The Pioneer, astrologer Pradeep Joshi from Gurukul Kangrii Vishwavidyalaya said, “With Amavasya stretching till 8.30 in the morning on Tuesday, the Navratri would begin from Wednesday and the ritualistic fasting should be observed from Wednesday onwards.”
However, there were many who chose to embark on the fasting from Tuesday. Shweta Verma from Jwalapur said she had started the fasting and the other rituals from Tuesday itself. However, the followers of Ram Krishna Mission would be observing Navratras from Wednesday.
“Navratris are meant to worship the principle of Shakti embodied by the goddess without whose grace no manifestation is possible. Even Shiva is like a shav (corpse) while shorn of the Shakti. These goddesses represent 10 mahavidyas (skills). Adi Shankaracharya advocated performing of yajna for Raj Rajeshwari Tripur Sundari to get eternal bliss and prosperity,” said Swami Awdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara while dwelling on the religious/spiritual significance of the auspicious occasion.
The nine-day festival of Navratri in Hindu religion is dedicated to the nine manifestations of the Goddess- Durga, Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandmata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhdhatri.