Chaitra Navratri started with great devotion across Sanskardhani, on Thursday. On the first day, dedicated to Maa Shailputri, devotees performed Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) at temples and homes to mark the beginning of nine-day festival. From early morning, people gathered in large numbers at Maa Durga temples to offer jalabhishek and prayers. Temples remained crowded throughout the day. In the evening, devotees again visited temples for aarti, lighting diyas and incense sticks, with prayers continuing till late night. Temples across the city were decorated with flowers and colourful lights. Devotional songs and rituals added to the festive atmosphere. Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC) made special cleanliness arrangements near major temples to manage the rush. At Maa Shri Badi Khermai Temple, special arrangements have been made for devotees during Navratri. A large number of people reached the temple from early morning to offer jal (water) to the Goddess.

 

Proper arrangements have been made for smooth entry and exit. The temple trust, along with police and administration, has ensured safety and crowd management measures. Trust President Sharad Agrawal said the Goddess will be worshipped daily with special decoration and rituals. Evening aarti will be held every day. Special worshop will be organised on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami in the forms of Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali. A grand maha aarti will also be held at midnight on these days. For the festival, 151 manokamna jyotikalash and around 1,100 jawara have been arranged for devotees. After Navami, a jawara visarjan procession will be taken out on March 29 evening from the temple. Likewise, foolproof arrangements have been made at other Maa Durga temples including Tripur Sundari temple, Maa Baglamukhi Sidhhpeet, Chhoti and Budhi Khermai temple and other small and big temples in the city.