Koradi Ashwin Navratri begins today, over 25 lakh devotees expected at Mahalakshmi Jagdamba temple

The Ashwin Navratri festival begins today at the Shri Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Sansthan in Koradi. The Sansthan estimates that more than 25 lakh devotees will come for darshan of the Goddess during the festival.

In view of the crowds, the temple Sansthan, Koradi gram panchayat, Mahadula nagar panchayat, the police administration, traffic police, Star Bus service, Mahanirmiti, the health department and Mahavitaran have completed nearly all preparations. Local volunteers are also working with the Sansthan so that devotees can have darshan in an easy and festive atmosphere.

The festival will begin at 4 am today with abhishek and shringar aarti. Swayambhu darshan of the Goddess will be available until 10 am. The idol in the form in which Shri Mahalakshmi Jagdamba appeared in person is known as swayambhu darshan. Devotees get this opportunity twice a year. Ghatasthapana will take place at 10 am. The queue for swayambhu darshan stretches to more than four kilometres. Guardian Minister and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will be the chief guest on the occasion. All office-bearers and trustees of the Sansthan will also be present.

The akhand manokamana jyotis will be lit at 5 pm. This year the Sansthan will light 7,500 jyotis together. Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil will attend the collective lighting as chief guest.

At the Koradi fair, a heavy crowd of devotees gathers every day from 7 pm through the night. So many people arriving at the same time puts pressure on arrangements, and devotees also have to stand in long queues. The Sansthan has therefore appealed that those who can should come for darshan during the day. The crowd is thinner from 10 am to 6 pm.

The temple will remain open for darshan 24 hours, except during aarti. A total of 251 volunteers of the Jakhapur Seva Sangh are ready to provide facilities such as water, medicines and wheelchairs for the elderly in the darshan queue.

The queue has been changed this year. It has been laid out so that devotees can have mukhdarshan of the Goddess from a distance of 100 metres. This facility is for ordinary devotees. Arrangements for darshan by distinguished guests and VIPs have been made through a separate route. Traffic arrangements will remain the same as every year. Large vehicles will be allowed entry via the Nada Koradi road, while two-wheelers can enter only through the main gate at Mahadula T-point. Guest passes are available for devotees on a special donation of Rs 100 per person. VIPs will be taken in through a separate entrance.

CCTV cameras will keep watch over the entire premises. Extensive greenery has been developed on the right side of Mahadula T-point. A grand gold-plated flagpole has been installed in the Goddess's darshan area in the temple. Artists have created displays of flowers and rangoli, and have also made live paintings, to make the darshan experience more pleasant. During Navratri, shringar aarti will be held in the morning, bhog aarti in the afternoon and sandhya aarti in the evening.