Devotees offered prayers and sought blessings from Goddess Durga on the occasion of the Ram Navami at the Chhatarpur Temple and the Kalkaji Temple in the national capital on Thursday.
The devotees also flocked to attend the 'early morning' aarti at these temples. Devotees were seen standing in long queues and waiting for their chance patiently to offer prayers. Many devotees arrived outside the temple at midnight to offer prayers.
"We have come from Patna and we are here since midnight. We will offer prayers and seek blessings from Goddess Durga," a devotee told ANI.
Many devotees felt satisfied with the arrangements being made at Kalkaji Temple.
"This is a unique experience and here arrangement for the devotees is good," another devotee told ANI.
Mantras were chanted by priests and bhajans (devotional songs) were played at the temple premises. Devotees were seen offering special prayers to Lord Ram and seeking his blessings for health, happiness, and prosperity. Flowers, lights, and colourful Rangolis adorn homes and temples.
Ram Navmi is celebrated all over India every year on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri to mark the birth of Lord Rama. This year the festival falls on March 30. On this auspicious day, young girls, representing the nine forms of the goddess Durga, are offered gifts and Prasad.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and gave best wishes to the people of the nation. He said, "Many best wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The life of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ramchandra, based on sacrifice, austerity, restraint and determination, will remain the inspiration of humanity in every era.”
The festival is widely celebrated in many parts of India, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
People also hold processions and perform devotional songs to Lord Ram. Reciting the Ramayana is one of the major customs connected with Ram Navami.