Vijay Dashami Celebrations Across India
On Vijay Dashami, devotees across India gathered in temples to offer prayers. In Jammu and Kashmir, many visited the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Katra, chanting ‘Jai Mata Di.’ Veena Sharma, a devotee from Faridabad, expressed her joy at fulfilling her long-awaited wish to visit the temple. Kaushal Gupta shared his happiness about offering prayers on this auspicious day, which coincided with both Ram Navmi and Dusshera.
In Delhi, an Aarti was performed at the Chattarpur temple to mark the end of Navratri. In Ayodhya, devotees prayed at the Deokaali temple, while in Prayagraj, a traditional ‘sajawat chauki’ Ram Leela procession took place.
In Kottayam, Kerala, the ‘Kanyaka Puja’ and ‘Matha Puja’ were celebrated, involving the worship of young girls and mothers. These rituals, performed on Ashtami or Navami Tithi, include preparing and distributing Prasadam. A devotee highlighted the grand celebration of these age-old traditions.
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Vijay Dashami -: Vijay Dashami, also known as Dussehra, is a Hindu festival celebrated in India. It marks the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. It is celebrated with prayers, rituals, and cultural events across the country.
Mata Vaishno Devi -: Mata Vaishno Devi is a famous Hindu temple located in the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi, who is believed to fulfill the wishes of her devotees. Many people visit this temple to seek blessings, especially during festivals.
Chattarpur -: Chattarpur is an area in Delhi, India, known for its large and beautiful temples. The Chattarpur Temple is one of the most popular temples here, where people gather to pray and perform rituals during festivals like Vijay Dashami.
Aarti -: Aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, where light from wicks soaked in ghee or camphor is offered to deities. It is usually performed with songs and prayers, and is a way to show devotion and seek blessings from the gods.
Ayodhya -: Ayodhya is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, known as the birthplace of Lord Rama, a major deity in Hinduism. It is an important pilgrimage site and is famous for its grand celebrations during festivals like Vijay Dashami.
Prayagraj -: Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for the confluence of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It is a significant religious and cultural center, hosting many festivals and rituals.
Kottayam -: Kottayam is a city in the state of Kerala, India. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional festivals. During Vijay Dashami, unique rituals like ‘Kanyaka Puja’ and ‘Matha Puja’ are performed here.
Kanyaka Puja -: Kanyaka Puja is a ritual where young girls are worshipped as embodiments of the goddess. It is a part of the Vijay Dashami celebrations in some parts of India, symbolizing purity and divinity.
Matha Puja -: Matha Puja is a ritual where mothers are worshipped, acknowledging their role and importance in the family and society. It is performed during festivals like Vijay Dashami in some regions of India.
Prasadam -: Prasadam is food that is offered to the deities during religious rituals and then distributed to devotees. It is considered blessed and is an important part of many Hindu festivals and celebrations.
