Navratri begins today at Kolhapur's Ambabai temple, decorated with 3,000 kg of flowers

Kolhapur: Sharadiya Navratri begins on Sunday, October 11, at the Karveer Nivasini Ambabai (Mahalaxmi) temple. Ghatasthapana will be performed between 7.30 and 10.30 am, followed by traditional rituals. Preparations are complete, and the temple's stone architecture glows under soft yellow lighting.

The temple management committee, district administration and police have arranged cleaning, a darshan pavilion, drinking water, fans, first aid and a Hirkani room for nursing mothers. CCTV cameras, metal detectors and bag scanners will be used for security, and police, temple staff and volunteers will manage the crowds.

About 3,000 kg of flowers have been used to decorate the temple. In keeping with the first day's colour, saffron marigolds dominate the interior, along with chrysanthemums, yellow marigolds and garlands of mango leaves. The entrances, main darshan door, pillars, queue and Garud Mandap are decked with orchids, lilies, Dutch roses, tuberoses and more, along with banana plants, about 800 dozen fruits and 400 dozen bananas.

Businessman Swapnil Hiddugi offered the decoration in memory of his late father Subhash Hiddugi and has done so since 2021, said Varsha Salunkhe, secretary of the Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Management Committee.

Sources: Pudhari; Loksatta