Kalyan: The Sharadiya Navratri festival began with religious fervour at the historic Durgadi Fort in Kalyan. On the first day, Ghatasthapana and traditional puja were performed at the Durga Devi temple, followed by the Durga Mata Aarti. Darshan was subsequently opened for devotees.

The occasion also recalled the historic struggle by Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray and the late Meenatai Thackeray to open the temple doors for Hindu devotees through a grand Durga Devi puja.

Ravi Patil, president of the Durgadi Fort Devasthan Navratri Festival Committee and Shiv Sena city president, said, “Special arrangements had been made to ensure safe and convenient darshan for the large number of devotees expected during the festival.”