The sacred morning Aarti was performed at Jhandewalan Temple in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking the third day of the nine-day-long Chaitra Navratri festival.
On this day, devotees worship Goddess Durga in the form of Mata Chandraghanta, who is depicted with ten arms, each holding a weapon, a lotus flower, or displaying a gesture of blessing (Abhaya Mudra).
Navratri, meaning ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit, is a Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars, collectively known as Navdurga. While four Navratris occur throughout the year, Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri are the most widely celebrated, coinciding with seasonal transitions. The festival is observed in diverse ways across India, reflecting regional traditions and customs.
Also known as Ram Navratri, the nine-day festival concludes with Ram Navami, commemorating the birth of Lord Ram. Each of the nine days is dedicated to honoring a different incarnation of Goddess ‘Shakti,’ with prayers, rituals, and celebrations held nationwide.
To enhance the spiritual experience, Akashvani’s Aradhana YouTube Channel is presenting a special series of programs from March 30 to April 6 for Navratri. According to a Ministry of Information & Broadcasting release, “To commemorate each day’s significance, the channel will feature a specially curated series from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Additionally, Shakti Aradhana will be broadcast daily from 8:30 AM to 8:40 AM, bringing divine renditions to the audience.”
The Navratri celebrations will culminate with a grand live broadcast of Ram Janmotsav from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya. This special program, scheduled for April 6 from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM, will bring the divine festivities to audiences across the nation, celebrating the spiritual significance of this sacred occasion.