Aurangabad, Oct 17: The Navratri festival started on Saturday with the Ghatasthapana taking place in temples and houses. This year the festival is being celebrated without the Karnapura fair. Devotees took darshan of Goddess from the gates of the closed temples.
The preparations for the puja had started from midnight in various temples in the city. The ghatasthapana at Karnapura temple was done at 7 am and arti was performed by MLC Ambadas Danve. Santosh Danve and family members were present.
However, the temple was closed for other devotees. Police bandobast was beefed up in the Karnapura area. Barricading was done at the entrance of Karnapura and in front of the temple to stop devotees from entering the premises. The ghatasthapana at Renukamata temple in Cidco, N-9 area was done in the morning.
Only the priests were allowed in the temple. But devotees were seen standing on the road and taking darshan of the Goddess.
Similar scenes were witnessed at the Renuka Mata temple at Sangramnagar on Beed Road, Hingulambika Mata temple at Rangargalli, Mahalakshmi temple at Kharakuva Kuvarphalli, Harsiddhi Mata temple at Harsul, Durgamata temple at Bajrang Chowk and Chaturshrungi temple at Pahadsingapura.
Less number of idols purchased
Restriction has been imposed on playing Garba this year, and the number of pandals has also been reduced due to Covid-19. This resulted in the low sale of idols of the goddess. The sculptors made more idols due to Adhikmaas. But except for the domestic idols, most of the 4 feet idols for mandals remained.