Varanasi: Kashi ushered in the three-day Durga Puja festivities on Saturday with prayers to Maa Kalaratri, the seventh form of Goddess Durga, as devotees thronged the ancient Maa Kalaratri Temple in Kalka Gali in the Dashashwamedh area.From the early hours, worshippers queued up in the narrow lanes leading to the shrine, carrying hibiscus garlands, red chunaris, coconuts, fruits, sweets, vermilion, incense and other ritual offerings. The temple resonated with the sound of bells, conch shells and devotional chants as priests performed special rituals and recited hymns dedicated to the Goddess.Maa Kalaratri, worshipped on the seventh day of Shardiya Navratri, is revered as a powerful manifestation of Shakti who destroys fear, darkness and negative forces. Despite her fierce appearance, she is also known as Shubhankari, the bestower of auspiciousness and protection.Temple head priest Pandit Surendra Tiwari said Maa Kalaratri is regarded as one of the presiding deities of Kashi and finds mention in the Kashi Khand. According to tradition, Goddess Parvati came to this sacred spot after becoming displeased with Lord Shiva and performed intense penance here for hundreds of years.Tiwari said devotees who worship Maa Kalaratri with devotion experience not only her formidable power but also her compassionate, motherly presence. The temple also houses the Shiva Linga of Gauri Kedareshwar, along with idols of Neel Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu and several other deities.According to the Puranas, Goddess Durga manifested as Kalaratri to destroy the demon Raktabeej. She is depicted with a dark complexion, dishevelled hair and three eyes, with a lightning-like garland around her neck. Flames are believed to emerge from her breath, and her vehicle is a donkey. She carries a sword and a thorn-like weapon, while her other two hands remain in varada and abhaya mudras, symbolising blessings and fearlessness.Devotees believe worshipping Maa Kalaratri helps dispel fear, evil forces and planetary troubles. She is associated with Saturn, and prayers to her are believed to mitigate the adverse effects of Shani. Red flowers, particularly hibiscus and roses, are considered dear to the Goddess. Offering jaggery as bhog and donating it are also regarded as auspicious.Given the temple’s location in a narrow lane, elaborate security and crowd-management arrangements were put in place. Teams from the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration and Dashashwamedh police were deployed from around 3 am on roads, in the lanes and near the shrine to ensure smooth darshan and regulate the movement of devotees.After offering prayers, devotees headed to Durga Puja pandals across the city. Idols of Goddess Durga were adorned with lights, flowers and traditional ornaments, while organisers arranged security, drinking water, designated entry routes and crowd-control measures in anticipation of a large turnout over the next three days.Markets near puja venues witnessed heavy footfall as people shopped for sweets, prasad, decorative items and festive clothes. Food stalls, devotional music and cultural programmes added to the festive atmosphere, drawing residents and visitors alike.Police personnel and volunteers were deployed near major crossings to guide visitors and manage traffic around crowded worship sites. By evening, illuminated pandals, bustling streets and devotional songs reflected Kashi’s festive spirit, as the city came together in a celebration of faith, tradition and community.
