Navratri 2024: PM Modi extends greetings on the ocassion of Shardiya Navratri, ‘I pray to Maa Shailputri…’

Navratri 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3 has extended greetings on the occasion of Shardiya Navratri. Taking to X, the Prime Minister wrote, “I wish all my countrymen a very Happy Navratri. May this holy festival dedicated to Shakti Vandana prove to be auspicious for everyone. Jai Mata Di!”

In another post, he added, “On the first day of Navratri, I pray to Maa Shailputri with folded hands! May everyone be blessed by her grace. This prayer to the Goddess is for all of you…”

On this auspicious ocassion, Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his wishes to the nation. Taking to X, he wrote, “Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the sacred festival of Navratri. Navratri is a great festival of worship of Shakti, accumulation of spiritual energy and worship of nine forms of Ma Ambe, the mother of the universe. I pray to Ma Durga for the welfare, happiness and peace of the entire world.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his heartfelt greetings and wrote."Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the devotees and people of the state on the holy festival of worship of Adishakti Maa Durga, 'Shardiya Navratri'! May Mother Goddess fill everyone's life with happiness, peace, prosperity, and health; this is my prayer."

All about the nine day festival

The jubilant nine-day festival dedicated to goddess Durga began today. The festival is marked with celebrations, fasting, and cultural gatherings like garba, dandiya. All the nine days are dedicated to different forms of the goddess Durga, also called ‘Aadishakti’. Shardiya Navratri will conclude on Saturday, October 12, with Dussehra being celebrated on the same day. The first day of Navratri is dedicated to the worshipping of Goddess Maa Shilaputri, also known as Shailputri. The goddess has been described as the daughter of mountains.

Shila Putri is known for radiating positivity, happiness, and light, just like crores of suns and moons. Maa Shailputri rides on a bull (Nandi) and also carry a trident and lotus in her hands with a moon on her forehead.