- City pandals come alive with devotion, color, and cultural fervor
Bhopal: The spirit of Navratri continued to soar in Bhopal as devotees gathered in large numbers on Wednesday to worship Goddess Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga. On the third day of the nine-day festival, the city witnessed vibrant celebrations as the pandals were abuzz with spiritual energy.
Goddess Chandraghanta, symbolized by a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead, is revered as a symbol of peace, courage, and prosperity. She represents the married form of Goddess Parvati, who assumed this divine form after her union with Lord Shiva. Devotees sought her blessings to overcome negativity and attain mental peace.
“Goddess Chandraghanta is believed to bring mental peace, serenity, and prosperity into the lives of her followers,” said a devotee at a crowded pandal in the Mata Mandir area.
Milk and sweets offered to devotees
The day’s rituals included chanting of mantras, recitation of the Durga Chalisa, and heartfelt aartis. Offerings of milk and milk-based sweets—favorites of the goddess—were made at various temples and pandals. Devotees also offered jasmine flowers, sandalwood, and lotus, each carrying spiritual symbolism.
Many worshippers were seen dressed in yellow, the color associated with the goddess on this day, further enhancing the festive atmosphere. The city’s pandals, adorned with flowers and lights, echoed with devotional songs and the rhythm of traditional drums.
Navratri, a festival of divine feminine energy, continues to unite communities in prayer and celebration. With six days still to go, Bhopal remains immersed in devotion, eagerly awaiting the next form of the goddess.
