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PHOTOS: Devotees throng temples on first day of Navratri

October 17, 2020 23:11 IST

A large number of devotees thronged temples of Goddess Durga across the country on Saturday, the first day of the Navratri festival, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several measures, including installation of sanitisation tunnels and banning offerings like flowers and 'prasad' to the Goddess Durga, were put in place by temple administrations at various places.

Elaborate security arrangements were also made at the temples in view of the rush of pilgrims.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to people on the beginning of Navratri and wished them happiness, peace and prosperity.

Here are a few glimpses of how Indians marked the first day of the nine-day festival.

 

IMAGE: Devotees offer prayers at Jhandewalan Temple on the first day of Navratri festival, in New Delhi, on Saturday. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

IMAGE: Devotee offers prayers for Kalash Sthapna on the first day of Navratri festival, at Khermai Temple in Jabalpur, on Saturday. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Pilgrims wave as they walk towards Mata Vaishno Devi temple, at Katra about 45km from Jammu, on Saturday. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Children along with their parents visit Bara Hanuman Temple on the first day of Navrati festival, in Amritsar. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Devotees undergo thermal screening as they arrive to offer prayers at Sheetla Mata Mandir in Gurugram. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flags off eight chariots with idols of Goddess Durga, at Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa offers special prayers to Goddess Chamundeswai atop Chamundi Hill for a traditional  start of the Dasara Navratri festivities, in Mysuru, on Saturday. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Devotees maintaining social distancing visits the Kalibari temple in Shimla. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Devotees get their hands sanitised as they visit Durga temple in Varanasi. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Police personnel urge devotees to maintain social distancing as they arrive to perform rituals at Goddess Alopi Devi Shakti Peeth Temple in Prayagraj. Photograph: PTI Photo

IMAGE: Devotees offer prayers at Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo

IMAGE: Devotees stand in queues to offer prayers at Budhiya Mata Temple in Gorakhpur. Photograph: PTI Photo
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