Navratri begins in Parbhani: ghatasthapana at temples, mandals install idols in the evening

Parbhani: Sharadiya Navratri began in the city on Sunday, October 11, amid festivity and devotion. Temples including the Shri Kalika Devi temple on Vasmat Road, the Shri Durgadevi temple in Shanivar Bazaar, the Shri Renuka Mata temple in Komti Galli and the Shri Ashtabhuja Devi temple near Gandhi Park were busy with ghatasthapana from the morning. With the auspicious time beginning at 6.30 am, many families performed the ritual early; ceremonies went on until 12.30 pm in places, and some performed ghatasthapana at the evening 'goraj' muhurat.

Public Durga mandals installed idols of the goddess at the evening muhurat, and some took them out in processions to the beat of dhol-tasha, filling the main roads with chants. Earlier in the day, mandal office-bearers had bought the idols in the market.

Ghatasthapana was performed with full rituals at the Shri Ashtabhuja Devi temple, where the nine days will bring daily puja at 5 am, aarti at 7 am, recitation of the Saptashati and havan from 9 am to noon, and havan and aarti from 2 pm to 5 pm. Mahaprasad has been arranged for devotees, and a Shatachandi havan is the special attraction this year. The temple trust's president, former MP Tukaram Renge Patil, visited the temple for darshan at the time of ghatasthapana.

Sources: Esakal; Esakal