New Delhi: It was not a typical sluggish afternoon this Sunday. The air was filled with festivity and cheer, mixed with devotion. Temples in Delhi, including the famous Jhandewalan Temple, witnessed an overwhelming influx of devotees thronging, as the nine-day celebration of Chaitra Navratri kicked off.
While the air crackled with chants of “Jai Mata Di”, and saffron chunnis danced in the breeze, the Jhandewalan Temple saw a footfall of 37,000 people by afternoon, with total visitors expected to reach 90,000 by end of the day.
In the temple courtyard, stood Sarthi, with tika on her forehead, sporting an orange kurta, the colour of the day to worship Ma Shailputri. Her daughter, Shishka, tagging along, said: “I’ve been fasting all nine days since I was 12 years old.” Sarthi too has been observing the fast. “After marriage, Jhandewalan Temple became my go-to. Twenty years and the bhakti only grows,” Sarthi said.
Some devotees clutched their offerings, others took quick selfies, their bright headbands flashing ‘Jai Mata Di’ in red letters. Just beyond the courtyard — a digital pratima of Mata’s idol— stood grand, glowing on a massive screen. The space inside may have been tight, but for the devotees, it was all about the spiritual connect. “You know, it feels like she’s looking right at you,” whispered a woman in the crowd.
“It’s not just a temple visit; it’s a celebration,” said Bhavina, who came with her family, all sporting matching saffron chunnis. The temple’s trustee, Ravinder, said, “The morning aarti was beautiful, and we’re expecting around 90,000 to 1,00,000 visitors daily. Security is tight with over 266 CCTV cameras, and the prasadam — halwa, chana, and charnamrit — is prepared fresh for both morning and evening aartis. Throughout the day, we offer peanuts and panjiri.”
Adding to the festive charm were the mehndi artistes setting up stalls, swirling delicate patterns on women’s hands. Meanwhile, temple volunteers — dressed in crisp white kurta-pajamas — managed the crowd with effortless dedication. “Aage badhiye, Jai Mata Di!” they called out, their enthusiasm never dimming. And then came the music. The loudspeakers buzzed with the heart-thumping strains of “O Maa… O Maa…” The familiar bhajan echoed through the courtyard, inviting devotees to sway and clap along.
But while Jhandewalan Temple glowed with rhythmic chants and poised devotion, at Kalkaji Temple, it was devotion in its most unfiltered form — a chaotic sea of faith. It wasn’t merely a crowd; it was a dhakka-mukki of eager devotees, each jostling for a glimpse of the idol. The scorching heat did little to deter them. But devotion wasn’t just inside the temple — it spilt over into the streets. On the footbridge leading to Kalkaji Temple, the air buzzed with chatter. Stalls lined the pathway, bright with sindoor packets, glass bangles, and idols of Maa Durga. Somewhere amidst the frenzy, Antiri arranged neat stacks of pooja thalis, the soft rustle of patta leaves breaking through the commotion. “Waiting for the first boney,” he said with a hopeful grin, his belief in the day’s fortune unwavering.
Inside, for many, it was merely a moment — a raised hand, a whispered prayer, an offering placed swiftly before stepping aside. But even the briefest darshan felt like a blessing. “Jai Mata Di!” echoed through the temple grounds, merging with the clang of bells. And amidst it all, the city feasted. The aroma of chole bhature mingled with the sweetness of halwa and the earthy spice of chana.
Expected to have people coming until midnight, the clang of temple bells will mingle all nine days with chants of “Jai Mata Di.” From the digital pratima at Jhandewalan Temple to the bustling footbridge at Kalkaji, the spirit of Navratri wraps Delhi in devotion — a reminder that in every corner of the city, faith finds its vibrant expression.
