Ram Navami 2018: Ashtami And Navami Falls On The Same Day, People Throng to Temples to Seek Blessings

March 25 is being celebrated as Ram Navami with much fervour across India.

While people are celebrating the last day of Chaitra Navratri on March 25, not many know that this year Navratri lasted for eight days only, as both ‘Ashtami’ and ‘Navami’ are falling on the same day. Devotees seek the divine blessings of Goddess Shakti with abundant prayers and make several offerings during this nine-day-long festival. The ninth day of this festival is also being celebrated as Ram Navami. Along with worshiping Lord Rama, two other forms of Goddess Shakti, namely ‘Mahagauri’ and ‘Siddhidatri’ is also being worshiped.  A bevy of people were seen thronging various temples in New Delhi to seek the blessings of the almighty. Check it out here:

People were seen praying at Delhi’s Jhandewalan Temple on the ninth day of Chaitra Navaratri 2018

People pray at Delhi’s Jhandewalan Temple on the ninth day of #Navratri2018 pic.twitter.com/896QC4emlW

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018

Delhi’s Kalkaji Temple too saw devotees offering early morning prayers.

#Navratri2018: People throng at Delhi’s Kalkaji Temple to offer early morning prayers. pic.twitter.com/1koWKkDXVZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2018

Meanwhile, devotees in Ayodhya took holy dip in the River Ganga to commemorate the ninth day of Chaitra Navaratri.

Devotees in Ayodhya take holy dip in river Ganga on the ninth day of #Navratri2018. pic.twitter.com/weJ1jU1Bee

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 25, 2018

People were also seen praying at Varanasi’s Maa Ashtbuji Temple on the ninth day of Navaratri 2018.

People pray at Varanasi’s Maa Ashtbuji Temple on the ninth day of #Navratri2018pic.twitter.com/GWCAwdH5FI

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 25, 2018

Another ritual which is carried out both on the eighth and the ninth day of Navaratri is Kanjak or Kanya Pooja. This pooja assumes special significance as it is a way of showing gratitude to Goddess Shakti. Nine girls, who have not attained puberty are welcomed into the house. Their feet is first washed and a red thread is tied around their wrists thereby. These nine girls are then seated and offered variety of food items. This ritual is quite popular in regions like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.