84,000 throng Mansa Devi temple on Day 1

Tribune News Service

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Panchkula, April 8

Around 84,000 devotees thronged the Mansa Devi temple on the first day of Navratra here today. The devotees offered cash donation of around Rs 12 lakh and jewellery at the Mansa Devi and Kali Mata temples on Day 1. Some of the devotees also offered dollars at the temples.

“Around 84,000 people visited the temple till 5 pm today. We are expecting an increase in the number of devotees from tomorrow,” said VG Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board.

The Chief Administrator of the Mansa Devi Board and Panchkula Deputy Commissioner said a total of Rs 9.35 was donated at the Mansa Devi temple, while a sum of Rs 3.39 lakh was donated at the Kali Mata temple. Around 76 ‘nagh’ of silver were also donated. Special arrangements were made to facilitate the devotees visiting the temple.

Punjab and Haryana Governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki also paid obeisance at the temple on the first day of the Navratra. He also inaugurated an exhibition put up by different departments.

On April 12, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will inaugurate four newly-built temples inside the complex. Singers and musicians will add flavour to the event.

Solanki pays obeisance at Kali Mata temple

Kalka: Punjab and Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki paid obeisance at the historic Kali Mata temple and performed yajna on the occasion of first Navratra here today. Local MLA Latika Sharma, along with BJP leaders was also present on the occasion. The Navratra mela began today with religious fervour in Kalka and Pinjore. On the first day of the mela, over 15,000 devotees from Kalka, Pinjore, Panchkula, Chandigarh, Parwanoo, Solan and far-off places from Himachal and Punjab thronged Kali Mata temple to pay obeisance. Since early morning, devotees started thronging the temple to pay their obeisance. This year, the local administration and the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board have made special arrangements on every aspect to cope with the heavy rush of devotees at the temple. Keeping in view the safety of devotees, teams of special police and Home Guards jawans have been deputed. Traffic Police personnel have also been deputed for the smooth flow of traffic on the NH-22.