Ayodhya (UP), Mar 30 (UNI) A huge influx of devotees thronged Devi temples in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram, to seek the blessings of Goddess Shailputri, on the first day of Chaitra Navratri on Sunday.

Chants of 'Jai Mata Di' echoed throughout the city as devotees commenced the nine-day festival by performing Kalash Sthapana in their homes, marking the arrival of the Goddess. By dawn, major temples, including Badi Devkali, the Kuldevi (family deity) of Lord Ram, and Chhoti Devkali, the Kuldevi of Goddess Sita, were abuzz with activity, as crowds gathered, filling the atmosphere with devotional songs and Vedic chants.

The festive fervour was also evident at other significant temples, including Mata Mari Temple at Guptar Ghat, Pateshwari Mata Temple in Cantt, and Sheetla Mata Temple near Makbara, where worshippers continued to offer prayers late into the evening.

At Badi Devkali Temple, devotees patiently waited for hours to seek the blessings of Lord Ram's Kuldevi, while at Chhoti Devkali Temple, the devotion towards Goddess Sita's Kuldevi was evident in the overwhelming turnout.

Worshippers offered flowers, prasad, and heartfelt prayers at the feet of the Goddess, expressing their unwavering faith. Many devotees observed a fast on the first day, performing special rituals on the occasion.

The temples were beautifully decorated with flowers and colorful lights. On the auspicious occasion of Nav Samvatsar 2082 (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), devotees offered Arghya to the rising sun in the Sarayu River, praying for peace and prosperity in Ayodhya. Warm wishes and greetings were exchanged to mark the beginning of the new Hindu year.

After offering prayers at the Devi temples, devotees visited Ram Mandir and Hanuman Garhi, where large crowds continued to gather late into the night. The Janmabhoomi Path was packed with devotees.

With both Navratri and the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations, the administration has made extensive security and crowd management arrangements. A strong police presence, including a special deployment of women officers, ensures the safety and convenience of women devotees. Barricades and queue management systems have been set up to regulate the crowd effectively.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to take every necessary step to provide a hassle-free experience for devotees during Navratri and Ram Navami. He said that no devotee visiting Ayodhya should face any inconvenience.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Raj Karan Nayyar said that extensive security arrangements have been made in and around the temples. "A massive influx of devotees is expected on Ram Navami, and the administration is working to ensure a smooth and well-organised darshan experience for all while maintaining strict security protocols," he said.

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