New Delhi, March 19 -- Devotees on Thursday gathered in large numbers at prominent shrines, including the Jhandewalan and Chhatarpur temples in Delhi and Mumba Devi in Mumbai, to offer prayers on the first day of Chaitra Navratri.

The air resonated with the sound of bells and hymns as the Aarti performed marked the commencement of the nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, while talking to the reporters, said, "I wish everyone a Happy Chaitra Navaratri. May the Goddess bring prosperity in everyone's life and may Her blessings stay on our country..."

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the Nav Samvatsar ...