On the eighth day of the Chaitra Navratri festival, devotees gathered at the Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi on Saturday to participate in the morning Aarti, offering prayers to Goddess Mahagauri. The day holds special spiritual significance as it is dedicated to Mahagauri, the eighth form of Goddess Durga, revered for her purity and penance.
According to Hindu mythology, Mahagauri attained her radiant form after performing intense penance and is believed to ride a white ox, symbolizing peace and purity. The name ‘Mahagauri’ translates to “extremely bright and fair.”
Chaitra Navratri, also known as Ram Navratri, is a nine-day festival celebrating the nine avatars of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navdurga. The festival concludes with Ram Navami, which marks the birth of Lord Ram.
Navratri is observed four times a year, but Chaitra and Shardiya Navratri are the most widely celebrated, aligning with seasonal changes. The festival is marked by prayers, rituals, and celebrations across different parts of India, each with its own cultural interpretations.
As part of the ongoing celebrations, Akashvani’s Aradhana YouTube Channel is hosting a special series of devotional programs from March 30 to April 6, airing daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The “Shakti Aradhana” segment is broadcast every morning from 8:30 AM to 8:40 AM, offering divine musical renditions.
The Navratri festivities will culminate on April 6 with a grand live broadcast of Ram Janmotsav, celebrating Lord Ram’s birth, directly from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. The special program will air from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM, connecting devotees across the nation to the sacred occasion.
