Tara Tarini and Kamakhya see rush of devotees during Navaratri

The Tara Tarini Shakti shrine near Berhampur, Odisha is agog with activity with Navaratri celebrations. People are thronging the hill top temple near Berhampur in lakhs during this period.

Devotees light lamps before Maa Tara Tarini from the first night of the Navaratri and it continues to burn till the end of the celebrations. There is also constant chant of Chandi Patha and Tara Tarini development Board also organize cultural and bhajan programmes. "We have made necessary arrangements for visitors to the famous hill top temple for a glimpse of Maa during Navaratri," general secretary of Tara Tarini Development Board Pramod Kumar Panda said, adding that we expect the maximum number of devotees on Saptami, Ashtami and Dasami.

Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills near Guwahati, Assam has also started witnessing rush of devotes from various parts of the state and abroad. With Maha shasthi falling on a Sunday, devotes thronged the temple premises on Saturday seeking blessing of goddess Durga, who is another incarnation of Sati like Kamakhya.

Secretary of Kamakhya Debuttor Board, Nabakanta Sarma is expecting at least two lakh visitors at the temple during this Puja. "Though it is believed that Durga Puja in Assam was started by Ahom Queen Phuleshwari in the 17th century AD, according to other sources it goes back before 1200 AD", said Sarma.

He expressed hope that number of visitors at Kamakhya temple increasing from September 28 with the starting of Navratri, the organizers are expecting large crowds even from Maha Sasthi.