PM Modi, Amit Shah Extend Maha Ashtami Greetings, Highlight Goddess Mahagauri

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Millions of salutations at the feet of Mother Mahagauri! May her divine aura bring happiness, prosperity, and good health into everyone's life. She who is mounted on a white bull, clad in white garments, and pure. May Mahagauri bestow auspiciousness, she who delights the Great God."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended his warm wishes to the nation on the occasion of Maha Ashtami.

In a post on X, Shah said, "Heartfelt greetings on the holy festival of Maha Ashtami. May Mother Durga instil strength, courage, and self-confidence in everyone's life."

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also greeted the people, stating, "Seated on a white bull, adorned in white garments, the pure Earth. Mahagauri bestows auspiciousness, delighting the great god. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the great Ashtami festival, dedicated to the worship of Mother Mahagauri, the presiding deity of wealth-prosperity, happiness-peace, and abundance. I pray to Mother Mahagauri for the happiness, prosperity, and excellent health of all of you."

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, "Today, we had darshan of Maa Jhandewali. Today, I extend greetings of Maha Ashtami to the people of the country and Delhi. I pray that all people of Delhi remain healthy."

Hindus observe four Navratris throughout the year, but only two--Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri--are widely celebrated, as they coincide with the changing of the seasons. In India, Navratri is celebrated in various forms and traditions.

The nine-day festival, also known as Ram Navratri, concludes on Ram Navami, which marks the birthday of Lord Ram. Throughout the festival, all nine days are devoted to honouring the nine incarnations of the goddess Shakti.'The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India, with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her various forms.

Ram Navami is the day when Lord Rama appeared in his human and divine form, and is celebrated with great reverence and festivities all over India, but especially in the sacred city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Leading up to Ram Navami, Hindus observe the 9-day fast during the Chaitra Navaratri, which consists of abstinence from alcohol, smoking, consumption of sattvic vegetarian food and immersing oneself in prayer and meditation to let the body go through a process of detoxification.

- ANI