The morning Aarti was performed at Shri Aadya Katyayani Shaktipith Mandir in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, on Wednesday, marking the fourth day of the nine-day-long Chaitra Navratri festival.
Earlier, a similar Aarti was held at Jhandewalan Temple in the national capital as devotees gathered to offer prayers to Goddess Durga. Today, devotees celebrate both the fourth and fifth days of Navratri, worshipping Goddess Durga in the forms of Mata Kushmanda and Mata Skandamata.
Goddess Kushmanda is regarded as the supreme divinity of the solar system in Hindu philosophy. Devotees believe that worshipping Mata Kushmanda grants them strength to overcome illnesses, sorrows, and imperfections. Meanwhile, Goddess Skandamata, also known as the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), is revered for bestowing happiness and fulfilling the wishes of those seeking children.
Navratri, meaning ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms, collectively known as Navdurga. Hindus observe four Navratris each year, but the most widely celebrated ones are Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri, which align with seasonal transitions.
The nine-day festival, also referred to as Ram Navratri, concludes with Ram Navami, celebrating the birth of Lord Ram. During Navratri, devotees engage in rituals, fasting, and prayers to honor Goddess Durga in her various manifestations.
As part of the celebrations, Akashvani’s Aradhana YouTube Channel is airing a series of special programs from March 30 to April 6, highlighting the spiritual significance of Navratri. The festivities will culminate in a grand live broadcast of Ram Janmotsav from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya on April 6, from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM, bringing the divine experience to audiences across the nation.
