New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) On the auspicious day of Saptami, the seventh day of Sharadiya Navratri, the spiritual city of Varanasi experienced a remarkable show of faith as thousands of devotees assembled to honor Goddess Mahagauri, a venerated manifestation of Goddess Durga.

Varanasi’s distinctive custom of not only worshipping the Navdurga but also the nine forms of Gauri was prominently showcased, reflecting the city’s profound cultural and religious legacy.

Unlike other regions of India where the focus is primarily on the nine forms of Durga during Navratri, Kashi follows a unique ritualistic tradition dedicated to the Nine Gauris, each with its own temple, invocation mantra, and specific puja methods. This practice offers a unique spiritual layer to the festival in this sacred city.

On Saptami, devotees made special offerings at the Mangala Gauri Temple, located near the revered Panchganga Ghat, and the Mata Annapurna Temple, which is close to the renowned Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Both temples experienced a significant surge in devotees from the early hours of dawn, with the darshan continuing late into the night.

A devotee at the Mangala Gauri Temple noted, "Today, it is believed that visiting the goddess ensures an abundance of food and wealth... A large crowd is gathering for darshan..."

The spiritual significance of Mahagauri is deeply rooted in texts such as the Durga Saptashati, which recounts how the gods, once defeated by the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh, prayed to a divine form along the Ganga riverbanks, which was Mahagauri. It is believed that from Mahagauri emerged Goddess Kaushiki, who ultimately vanquished the demons and restored cosmic balance.

Enhancing the spiritual ambiance, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conveyed his Navratri wishes via social media. In a post on X, he stated: "The seventh form of Goddess Durga, Maa Kalratri, eradicates the wicked and provides protection to her followers. May both the animate and inanimate thrive, and may everyone’s life be filled with joy, prosperity, and health. This is my prayer to Goddess Bhagwati."

As the Navratri festivities continue, Kashi remains enveloped in divine energy, with temples adorned in festive lights, and the sounds of conch shells, bells, and devotional hymns resonating throughout, offering a profound insight into the ongoing legacy of Shakti worship in India’s spiritual epicenter.