On Navami, Kashmiris pray to Goddess Durga for peace

Srinagar: Kashmir residents performed a Durga puja hawan and offered prayers for peace in their state and in the world during Navami celebrations at Bhagwan Gopinathji Ashram at Kharyar in Habba Kadal. Durga Puja is being performed today in many parts of the country on the occasion of Maha Navami, the ninth day of Navratri, but this is the only temple in downtown Srinagar where it is being performed today.

Around 120 to 150 devotees from various parts of Kashmir Valley thronged the ashram early morning to pay their obeisance to Goddess Durga and pray for peace in Kashmir and in the world. The Maha Yagya started this morning while devotees performed the rituals in the ashram by reciting bhajans and chanting mantras. Prasad was later served to the devotees. The function was held under the supervision of temple members Shivani Parimoo, Ravi Sathoo and Upinder Koul.

Every year, around 500 to 800 devotees come to the temple for the Durga Puja in the morning, but the ongoing tensions in the Valley saw the numbers decrease today. However, temple trust officials expect more devotees to come to the ashram as the day progresses. Jaya Pathwari, president of Bhagwan Gopinath Trust, said that they had made adequate arrangements to accommodate all visitors.