Bhubaneswar, Oct. 14 -- Devotees gathered at the shrine of Maa Sarala in Jagatsinghpur district on the fourth day of Navaratri on Wednesday to offer prayers and witness the goddess in her Kushmanda Besha. The temple witnessed a rush of devotees for the morning Mangala Alati.

The 16-day festive worship is being observed at the shrine. The special puja began from Mulashtami and will continue till Mahashtami. Maa Sarala is the presiding deity of Jagatsinghpur district.

The temple doors opened at 4 am, followed by the Mangala Alati at 5 am. Devotees gathered early to have darshan of the goddess in her Kushmanda Besha.

One devotee said, "I cannot express how happy I feel to have had darshan of the goddess during Navaratri. I prayed for the ...