As Chaitra Navratri 2021 begins, devotees throng Devi temples across the nation - In Pics

As the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri began on April 13 this year, devotees thronged Devi temples on Day 1 across the nation. The 9-day long festival will last till Ram Navami on April 21, 2021. During this festival, 9 different forms of Durga are worshipped. There are four types of Navratris two are in the year, out of which only widely celebrated - the Chaitra (spring) Navratri and Shardiya Navratri (autumn). The other two are Ashada and Magha Gupt Navratri. 

On Day 1 of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Shailputri is worshipped. Maa Shailputri is one of the Navadurgas and is worshipped on the first day of Navratri. Also known by the name of Sati, Parvati, Bhawani or Hemavati (daughter of Himavat - the king of Himalayas), Maa Shailputri is hailed as mother nature and prayed to for attaining spiritual awakening. 

Take a look at different temples in the country and how devotees pray to the goddess on Day 1 of Chaitra Navratri, coinciding with New Year as per the Hindu calendar. Navratri this year has co-incided with festivals such as Gudi Padwa, Bohag Bihu, Navreh, Cheti Chand, Baisakhi and Ramadan, making it a bigger celebration pan India. Check out pictures: 

A deserted inside view of the closed famous Jhandewalan Temple on the first day of Navratri festival amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

(Pic Courtesy: ANI)

Devotees offer prayer on the first day of the Navratri festival at the Kalkaji Temple in New Delhi on Tuesday.

(Pic Courtesy: ANI)

Pilgrims, wearing face masks, pray while on their way towards the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, during Navratri celebrations, in Reasi district, Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

(Pic Courtesy: PTI Photo)

Devotees stand in a queue to offer prayers at Alopi Devi Temple on the first day of Navratri celebrations, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Prayagraj, Tuesday, April 13, 2021. 

(Pic Courtesy: PTI)

Devotees offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri at Sharika Devi Temple in Srinagar, Kashmir on Tuesday.

(Pic Courtesy: ANI)

Devotees offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri at Sharika Devi Temple in Srinagar, Kashmir on Tuesday.

(Pic Courtesy: ANI)

Devotees wearing masks and offer prayers at Longa Wali Devi Temple on the first day of Navratri celebrations, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, in Amritsar, Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

(Pic Courtesy: PTI)