Delhi: Devotees flock to Jhandewalan Devi temple on last day of Vasantik Navratra
The final day of the Vasantik Navratra festival at the ancient Jhandewalan Devi Temple was marked by fervent devotion and vibrant religious festivities on Sunday, as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers to Goddess Sidhidatri — the ninth and final form of Maa Durga.
As per Hindu mythology, Maa Sidhidatri bestows all forms of spiritual powers or “siddhis” upon her devotees. It is believed that Lord Shiva, with her blessings, attained the form of “Ardhanarishwar”, symbolising the union of divine masculine and feminine energies.
The concluding rituals of Navratra included Kanya Pujan, a traditional ceremony where young girls are worshipped as manifestations of the goddess. The temple witnessed a huge turnout of devotees, with long queues forming from the early hours of the morning.
Highlighting the importance of cleanliness during large religious gatherings, Ravinder Goyal, trustee and additional manager of the Jhandewalan Temple Trust, said, “With the help of safai karamcharis and volunteers, we ensured that the temple premises were cleaned thoroughly three times a day. Devotees were very cooperative, and we’re thankful for that.”
Adding to the spiritual ambience, Ashok Bhardwaj conducted a soulful recital of the Durga Saptashati Path, which resonated through the temple premises, drawing praise from worshippers for its devotional fervour.
Temple authorities ensured that all arrangements, from crowd management to sanitation, were in place for the smooth conduct of the rituals. The festival concluded on a peaceful note, with the temple echoing chants of “Jai Mata Di” as devotees bid farewell to the nine-day celebration.
