Devotees soaked in festive spirit

 

 

 Staff Reporter :

 

Jabalpur, the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh, is slowly but surely immersing itself in the divine spirit of Maa Jagdamba as the nine-day Navratri festival moves into its fifth day. The city has begun to glow with devotional fervour as nearly 80 to 90 percent of Durga pandals have already been adorned with magnificent idols of the Goddess. Devotees have started thronging the streets for darshan, eager to seek Maa’s blessings. For the last two days, light showers seemed to restrain the enthusiasm of devotees. Yet, the faithful spirit of Sanskardhani could not be dampened for long. From Shashti Tithi (Saturday), the festive atmosphere will set to reach its peak.

 

From tomorrow, every lane, every pandal and every corner of the city will resonate with chants of “Jai Mata Di” as the true grandeur of Navratri come alive. The Durga Samitis are giving finishing touches to decorations that promise to amaze devotees this year. Some pandals are being transformed into horror trains and haunted palaces, while others are modelled after grand temples and replicas of India’s famous shrines. Each creation reflects not only the artistry of organisers but also their boundless devotion to the Goddess.

 

Adding to the spectacle, dazzling lights are illuminating every pandal and prominent spot in the city, creating a radiant glow across city’s horizon. The Municipal Corporation and administration have also stepped in to ensure smooth arrangements. Special attention is being given to cleanliness, security and traffic management so that devotees can celebrate the festival without inconvenience. This year, more than 1,000 large and small idols of Maa Durga will grace the city. Committees have ensured an array of cultural programmes for devotees, including performances by renowned singers from across the country, adding melody and rhythm to the devotional celebrations.

 

At present, Garba nights have taken the city by storm, with events being held at various venues. From tomorrow, the sixth day of Navratri, the true wave of devotion is expected to surge, with thousands of devotees stepping out onto the streets for darshan. Meanwhile, the Bengali community has already commenced worship from Panchami. At Bengali Club, D B Club, PNT, Khamaria, Vijay Nagar and other venues, religious rituals, cultural activities and lively performances have begun, adding a unique flavour to the mega festival.

 

As the days progress, Sanskardhani is set to transform into a living temple of devotion, where faith, music, dance and cultural colours will together celebrate the eternal power of Maa Durga. Pj.26-6: Women and Young girls immersed in the rhythm of Garba, celebrating the glory of Maa Durga with joy, music and devotion during Navratri festivities in Sanskardhani.