VADODARA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday joined foreign ambassadors and high commissioners in Gujarat for the Navaratri celebration.
“It is a matter of pride that we have come here with officials of different countries. As the Navaratri festival is on, they will spend the day enjoying the festivities. They are excited to see the development here,” Jaishankar said after meeting delegates and ambassadors of several countries.
Jaishankar also took to Twitter and said he looks forward to participating in the celebrations on Saturday night.
“Great to see Ambassadors and High Commissioners in Vadodara for the Navaratri experience. Look forward to participating in the celebrations tonight,” Jaishankar tweeted.
Saturday marks the sixth day of Navaratri and devotees across the country will worship Goddess Katyayani, the sixth incarnation of Maa Durga. Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined their powers to create Goddess Katyayani, according to Hindu mythology.
Also known as Mahishasurmardini, Maa Katyayani killed the demon Mahishasura. She is regarded as one of the most violent forms of Maa Durga. She is four-armed and rides a lion.During the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga’s nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings.
There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navaratri. During these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes.
The festival of Navaratri honours the defeat of the demonic Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra/Dasara or Vijaya Dashami. This year, Navaratri started on September 26 and will conclude on October 5. (ANI)