📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ms Sarah Welch
Religion
Thousands flock to Gujarat's Pavagadh and Ambaji temples as Navratri kicks off
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 12 Oct 2026, 01:37 AM
👁 18
The first day of Navratri saw massive crowds at three Gujarat temples, with devotees waiting for hours at Pavagadh and Ambaji.
Navratri began across Gujarat with throngs of worshippers gathering at several prominent shrines. The festive season opened with devotees converging on three major temples, creating a vibrant yet crowded atmosphere.
At Pavagadh, located in Panchmahal district, worshippers formed long queues that stretched for hours before the temple gates opened. The crowd, composed largely of families and local pilgrims, participated in traditional prayers and offered garlands to the deity.
Similar scenes unfolded at Ambaji in Banaskantha district, where thousands of devotees lined up under the scorching sun, awaiting their turn to perform rituals. The temple management coordinated crowd control measures, but the sheer number of visitors tested the arrangements.
Authorities in both districts deployed additional police personnel and volunteers to ensure safety and smooth movement. The early surge of pilgrims underscores the deep cultural significance of Navratri in Gujarat, as the state prepares for a month-long series of celebrations.
At Pavagadh, located in Panchmahal district, worshippers formed long queues that stretched for hours before the temple gates opened. The crowd, composed largely of families and local pilgrims, participated in traditional prayers and offered garlands to the deity.
Similar scenes unfolded at Ambaji in Banaskantha district, where thousands of devotees lined up under the scorching sun, awaiting their turn to perform rituals. The temple management coordinated crowd control measures, but the sheer number of visitors tested the arrangements.
Authorities in both districts deployed additional police personnel and volunteers to ensure safety and smooth movement. The early surge of pilgrims underscores the deep cultural significance of Navratri in Gujarat, as the state prepares for a month-long series of celebrations.