Panchkula (Haryana) [India], April 5 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini offered prayers at Prachin Shree Kali Mata Mandir, Kalka, on Friday and said that he prayed for the well-being of the people of the state and nation.

'I offered prayers at the Prachin Shree Kali Mata Mandir on the occasion of Navaratri. I prayed for the well-being of the people of the state and nation. May Haryana touch new heights of development...On the occasion of Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti on 14th April, PM Modi will be coming to Haryana to inaugurate various development projects,' CM Saini said.

Earlier on March 31, CM Saini offered prayers at the Mata Mansa Devi Temple in Panchkula on the second day of the nine-day-long Chaitra Navratri festival.

Navratri, which means 'nine nights' in Sanskrit, is a Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga and her nine avatars, known collectively as Navdurga.

Hindus observe four Navratris throughout the year, but only two--Chaitra Navratri and Shardiya Navratri--are widely celebrated, as they coincide with the changing of the seasons. In India, Navratri is celebrated in various forms and traditions.

The nine-day festival, also known as Ram Navratri, concludes on Ram Navami, which marks the birthday of Lord Ram. Throughout the festival, all nine days are devoted to honoring the nine incarnations of goddess 'Shakti.'

The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India, with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her various forms.

Akashvani's Aradhana YouTube Channel is presenting a series of special programs from March 30 to April 6 for Navratri.

The Navratri celebrations will culminate in a grand live program on Ram Janmotsav, directly from Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya. This special broadcast will take place on April 6 from 11:45 AM to 12:15 PM, bringing the divine festivities to audiences across the nation. (ANI)