Haridwar, Sept. 22 -- A large number of devotees gathered at Mansa Devi Temple in Uttarakhand's Haridwar on Monday to offer prayers on the first day of Shardiya Navratri.

Shardiya Navratri is a vibrant and sacred Hindu festival that spans nine nights, celebrating the divine feminine energy embodied by Goddess Durga.

Temples across the country today witnessed huge gatherings of devotees on the auspicious occasion of Navratri.

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, devotees gathered in large numbers at the Kali Mata Temple in Moradabad to offer prayers.

The devotees also gathered to offer prayers at the Devkali Temple in Ayodhya to celebrate Navratri.

In Delhi, large gatherings were also witnessed at Kalkaji Temple and Jhandewalan Temple. Additi...