PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
With Sharadiya Navratri set to start on Monday, the markets in Dehradun are abuzz with shoppers buying various items for the occasion. Many Pooja shop owners have decorated their stores with Navratri Pooja items. This year, Sharadiya Navratri will begin on September 22 and will last for ten days.
Pandit Krishanand Jaguri said that this year’s Navratri is considered especially auspicious and is believed to bring wealth into people’s lives. He said that normally, Navratri is celebrated for nine days, but this year it will extend to 10 days. The festivities will commence in the afternoon on the first day, which adds an additional day to the celebration. Consequently, since Navratri usually concludes on Dussehra, this year’s celebrations will amount to eleven days, when including Dussehra.
Further, preparations for Navratri are visible in the major markets. Pooja shops are adorned and stocked with Navratri items. A Pooja shop owner Vijay Upadhyay stated that he has stocked a variety of items for the occasion, including Arti thalis, coconuts and Chunri for the goddess, among others. He said that during Navratri, people are likely to begin their preparations a day before or on the same day.
Another shop owner, Manu Pandey said that he has stocked an array of fasting items for individuals who choose to fast during this period. Additionally, he has prepared an inventory of other essential items needed throughout Navratri.
