Navratri begins at Koradi's Mahalakshmi Jagdamba temple, 7,500 lamps lit in ghats

The Shardiya Navratri festival began on Sunday, October 11, at the Shri Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Mata temple in Koradi near Nagpur. Devotees showed great faith and enthusiasm. Thousands of them began arriving from 4 am to seek the blessings of Goddess Jagdamba.

The festival began with traditional rituals, and 7,500 lamps were lit in the ghats. The entire temple complex echoed with chants of "Jai Mata Di".

On the first day of the festival, devotees came to the temple from Nagpur and different districts of Vidarbha. Long queues formed from the morning. Devotees stood in line for darshan of the goddess in her self-manifested form as well as her fully adorned alankar form.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Maharashtra's Revenue Minister and the guardian minister of Nagpur and Amravati districts, also visited the temple. He offered prayers to Goddess Jagdamba. After performing the rituals, he lit a sacred lamp to mark the start of Navratri.

Bawankule wished all citizens happiness, prosperity and good health. He expressed the hope that every family would find peace and contentment, and that farmers, labourers, women, youth and all sections of society would get new opportunities to progress.

He also prayed that, by the goddess's blessings, people would gain new energy, self-confidence and the strength to overcome challenges. Jyotitai Bawankule and his son Sanket Bawankule were also present on the occasion.

The temple administration has made several arrangements keeping in mind the large number of devotees expected during the festival. Free meals have been arranged at the rear of the temple complex so that people, especially those coming from far away, can get food.

Special darshan arrangements have also been made for senior citizens and the differently abled to make it easier for them. The administration is trying to ensure that the movement of devotees remains smooth even during peak hours and that they face minimum inconvenience.

The temple administration, police and volunteers are together managing the crowd, organising queues and maintaining peace and order throughout the festival.

With good turnout of devotees on the first day, the glow of 7,500 lamps and devotional chants echoing continuously, a devotional atmosphere prevailed in Koradi. Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit during the coming days of Navratri. The tradition of worship, faith and community participation at the Shri Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Mata temple has continued for a long time.