Amid reverberating sounds of bells and conch cells, devotees offered prayers to Maa Durga on first day of Navratri begun Thursday. Dressed in yellow and red attires, devotees thronged the temples. Furthermore, decked up kiosks around the temples in various areas of the city are adding religious fervour to air.
On the first day of the Navratri, devotees offered prayers to Shailputri, first among Navdurgas in beautifully decorated temples.
The devotees offered coconuts and chunaris at the temples. Commencement of the Navratri added shine to the markets since large number of people preferred purchasing new articles and vehicles during Navratri for its auspiciousness.
Alike past season, Automobile market is likely to witness a boom since large number of people are visiting the automobile showrooms to purchase the new vehicles. Astrologer Pandit Subhash Joshi said, “Navratri is the most auspicious time. So, several people prefer purchasing vehicles during this time.”
“Navratri are important as Hindu New Year begins this day. Offering prayers to Maa Durga ensures prosperity and peace in lives of the devotees,” he said, adding that those observing fast should follow the discipline strictly in order to attain energy from worship that helps in accomplishing the tenacity. Physical and mental worship extends strength to vitality.
It may be mentioned here that large number of youths are observing fast and their faith has strengthened further. Ranjeet Singh, hardware engineer, who observed fast on first day of Navratri, said that observing fast gives him peace of mind so he practices it. Earlier, he used to observe fast for all Navaratra.
Praveen Kumar, another hardware professional, observed the daylong on fist day of Navratri. “Observing fast certainly provides me peace. I observed the fast till evening and at around 8.30 pm I ended my fast. I observed fast till I felt it from core of my heart since for me faith is totally a personal matter,” he said.
Hariom Gupta, an accountant by profession in a multinational company, has his own way to offer prayers. “I cannot remain hungry. I got up in the morning and offered prayers for few minutes. Thereafter, I took food and went to my office where I had to go through several files,” Gupta said, adding that he cannot afford working while observing fast.
He said that he was well aware with the fact that observing fast extends spiritual and bodily benefits both. It is now scientifically proved that observing fast is good for health and elevates one spiritually. Gupta suggested that those on fast must live a restrained life and follow rules to observe fast strictly.