Navratri the festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga started from today with absolute devotion and bliss. With the sthapana starts the nine days of fasting and prayers dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess of Power.
The temples have been preparing for this festival from last so many days and today at the auspicious time ‘mahurat’ ghat sthapana took place and wheat seeds were kept for germination. These germinated seeds will be immersed in the water at the end of the festival. However, different communities practice different rituals to offer their tribute to Maa Shakti.
On one hand religious people adhere to strict rules, regular visit to temples and austere life during these days; the youth on the other hand remains busy with preparation of garba-dandiya in the day and enjoying it at night.
The most beautiful Navratri celebration of Udaipur at Sutharwara has also observed a grand beginning of the 9 day festival. It started with a magnificent dance performance by artists of Jasol village of Barmer which has enthralled the spectators.
A large number of firecrackers were busted just before the Maha Aarti took place on the 50 feet high stage where the idol of Goddess Amba is placed. “Nearly 5000 devotees visit this place every day,” says Tulsiram Mali, President of Sutharwara Mitra Mandal.
Since early this morning, large number of devotees visited various temples of Udaipur including, Neemuch Mata, Ambamata, Karni Mata, Avri Mata and Sukhdevi Mata Temples.
Groups of youth were seen preparing the arena where Garba and Dandiya raas is going to take place. With the dandiya starts the festive season which will culminate with Bhaiya Dhuj that falls two days after Diwali.
We wish you all a merry time ahead with festivals and celebrations all around. May Maa Durga showers her blessings on all!
![dsc9082[1]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mdr0EyZP3PI/TopOj6zFpQI/AAAAAAAABTY/l4qPC8iHkjQ/s1600-h/dsc9082%25255B1%25255D%25255B8%25255D.jpg "dsc9082[1]")