Devotees throng temples as Navratri starts today!

Mumbai: The auspicious festival of Navratri beginning today will continue for the next nine days. The festival concludes with Ram Navami on April 8. During this time the temples are packed with devotees from wee hours in the morning and all day long.

The festival marks the onset of the nine-day long Chaitra Navratri festival, the holy period for the Hindus.

In South India, people set up steps and place idols on them, known as golu. In Kerala and in some parts of Karnataka three days — Ashtami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami of Sharad Navarathri — are celebrated.

In Karnataka, Ayudha Puja, the ninth day of Mysore Dasara, is celebrated with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles, or kitchen tools.

In Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, people celebrate Bathukamma festival over a period of nine days.

Navratri is celebrated twice a year - once during the spring and another during autumn. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil.