VARANASI, Nov. 7 -- The doors to the sanctum sanctorum golden idol of Goddess Annapurna, located on the first floor of the Annapurna Math Mandir in Varanasi, opened its doors to devotees on Friday, marking the beginning of the annual five-day darshan festival on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras.

At 4:00 am, the temple's Mahant, Shankar Puri Maharaj, performed a Maha Aarti following the Shodashopachara (sixteen-step) ritual. The temple doors opened for public viewing at 5:00 am.

Temple officials anticipate approximately one million (10 lakh) pilgrims will visit during the festival, which runs from Dhanteras to Annakut. Since early Friday morning, massive crowds have gathered in queues to seek blessings from Goddess Annapurna, Goddess...