Chaitra Navratri 2026: The auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri-dedicated to the Divine Mother-commences tomorrow. It is believed that during these nine days, seeking the Mother's *darshan* (sacred sight) and offering prayers helps alleviate all manner of suffering.
The national capital, Delhi, is home to numerous renowned temples that witness massive crowds of devotees seeking *darshan*. If you happen to be in Delhi, here are five such temples you can visit.
The first is the Yogmaya Temple, a *Siddhpeeth* (a sacred site of spiritual power) located in Delhi's Mehrauli district, boasting a history spanning 6,000 years. Remarkably, this temple was established by Lord Krishna himself. Furthermore, the very seat (*asan*) upon which He sat to consecrate this temple remains preserved within the premises to this day; it is upon this seat that the temple priests sit to bestow blessings upon devotees. The temple priest, Anand Sharma, informed that during Navratri, the temple remains open from 4:00 AM until 11:00 PM. Devotees from far and wide flock here to seek *darshan* and offer the Mother Goddess a complete set of *Shringar* (ornaments and cosmetic offerings). It is said that the Divine Mother fulfills every wish of those who come here with a heartfelt prayer. Seeking *darshan* at this temple holds special significance during the Navratri festival.
The second temple-which is immensely famous and often sees queues stretching up to four kilometers for *darshan*-is Delhi's Kalkaji Temple. This temple remains open daily from 4:00 AM to 11:30 PM. It observes brief closures during the day-between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM, and again between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM-to facilitate the *Bhog* (ritual food offering) and *Aarti* ceremonies. During Navratri, the temple is magnificently adorned with flowers.
The Jhandewalan Temple is situated in Delhi's Karol Bagh area. This historic temple of Delhi is over 200 years old and was established by Badri Bhagat. Legend has it that Goddess Durga appeared to Badri Bhagat in a dream, revealing the location of a sacred idol hidden within a cave. The site eventually came to be known as the Jhandewalan Temple because a *Jhanda* (sacred flag) was discovered there during the excavation process. To this day, the original idol remains enshrined within the cave here. Visiting this temple during Navratri is believed to ensure the continued blessings of the Mother Goddess.
Delhi is also home to a 'Gufa Mandir' (Cave Temple), situated in the Preet Vihar locality. It ranks among the oldest temples in Delhi. This temple is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi. The complex features a large cave that evokes the distinct atmosphere of the Vaishno Devi shrine, giving devotees the sensation of being at the original pilgrimage site. Within this structure lies a smaller cave, housing idols of Goddesses Katyayani, Chintpurni, and Jwala Devi. The temple remains thronged with devotees throughout the Navratri festival, during which special *Havan* (sacred fire rituals) and *Pujan* (worship ceremonies) are also performed.
Apart from these, the Dwarka area of Delhi is home to several renowned temples dedicated to Mata Rani; among the most celebrated are the Mata Rani Temple in Dwarka Sector 1-affectionately known as the 'Sher Wali Mata Mandir' (Lion-Riding Goddess Temple)-and the Vaishno Devi Temple in Sector 7. These temples witness massive crowds during the Navratri festivities. Additionally, the Kali Bari Temple located in Sector 11 is another shrine that enjoys immense popularity among devotees.
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