Lucknow,

22 March (HS): On the occasion of Chaitra Navratri, special cultural programs

will be organized under 'Shakti Aradhana' in 25 major Shaktipeeths and Devi

temples of Uttar Pradesh to carry forward the rich devotional tradition and

connect people with the spiritual atmosphere. The Culture Department will

organize a three-day event during the Saptami, Ashtami and Navami of Navratri,

in which there will be presentations of Devi songs and bhajans, which will make

the entire atmosphere devotional. In these programs, the worship of the Mother

Goddess will be done through Devi songs and bhajans, which will give new energy

to devotion and faith, while at the same time, folk traditions will also get a

strong platform.

These

include Maa Vindhyavasini Dham (Vindhyachal) of Mirzapur, Chandika Devi Temple

of Unnao, Jwala Devi Temple of Sonbhadra, Devkali Temple of Auraiya, Sita

Samadhi Sthal of Bhadohi, Tarkulha Devi Dham of Gorakhpur, Alopi Devi and

Lalita Devi Temples of Prayagraj, Shitala Mata Sthal of Mau, Kadavasini Temple

of Kaushambi, Pateshwari Devipatan of Balrampur, Shivani Devi Temple of

Chitrakoot and Lalita Devi Temple located at Naimisharanya of Sitapur.

Apart

from this, Gayatri Shaktipeeth of Hamirpur, Shakambhari Devi Temple of

Saharanpur, Bairagarh Mata Temple of Konch in Jalaun, Katyayani Devi Temple of

Mathura, Kushmanda Devi Temple of Kanpur Dehat (Ghatampur), Maa Shitala

Chowkiya Dham of Jaunpur, Shitala Mata Temple of Mainpuri, Belha Devi Temple of

Pratapgarh, Chamunda Mata Temple of Firozabad, Vishalakshi Devi Temple of

Varanasi and Chandrika Devi and Sankata Devi Temples of Lucknow are also

included in this list.

Artists

participating in these programs will also receive an honorarium, while all

local arrangements will be ensured by the respective district administrations

through the designation of nodal officers. This initiative will provide a

platform for artists and provide devotees with a unique experience of the

devotional and cultural atmosphere during Navratri.

Expressing

his views on this initiative, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said,

Navratri is the most energetic and spiritual festival in our cultural

life. Events like Shakti Aradhana are not limited to worship, but are a

powerful medium to unite our folk traditions, devotional music, and cultural

heritage. Our goal is to elevate this festival of faith to new heights in every

corner of the state, providing a platform for artists, and allowing devotees to

experience our rich culture along with devotion. Such efforts will further

strengthen Uttar Pradesh's cultural identity.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi