Shardiya Navratri Festivities Begin at Amer Shila Mata Temple with Auspicious Ghatasthapana Ceremony The nine-day Shardiya Navratri festival commenced at the historic Shila Mata temple in Amer Palace, Jaipur, following the sacred Ghatasthapana ceremony at 11:55 AM. The auspicious festival of Shardiya Navratri has commenced with deep religious devotion at the renowned Shila Mata temple, situated within the historic Amer Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Devotees in vast numbers gathered at the revered shrine to seek blessings on the opening day of the nine-day spiritual celebration dedicated to goddess Durga. The festival began with the traditional Ghatasthapana ceremony performed amidst the chanting of sacred Vedic hymns, setting in motion a series of elaborate religious rituals. Ghatasthapana Conducted in Auspicious Muhurat The ceremonial rituals for the first day of the festival adhered strictly to traditional customs. According to the temple priests and administration, the sacred Ghatasthapana was conducted at an auspicious timing of 11:55 AM. Head priests of the temple led the solemn proceedings, offering special prayers and carrying out traditional Vedic invocations during the ceremony. Following the completion of the Ghatasthapana rites, the deity was adorned in grand and vibrant ceremonial attire. The temple doors were subsequently opened for general public darshan around 1:00 PM. As the sanctum sanctorum opened, the entire palace complex resonated with devotional chants of Jai Mata Di, with waiting devotees stepping forward to pay homage. Historical Heritage Traced to the Sixteenth Century The Shila Mata shrine at Amer holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for local residents as well as domestic and international travelers visiting Jaipur. Historical accounts state that the miraculous idol of the goddess was brought in the sixteenth century by the notable ruler of the Kachhwaha dynasty, Maharaja Man Singh I, from Jasore in Bengal, a region located in present-day Bangladesh. According to legend, the deity appeared to Maharaja Man Singh I in a dream and offered him spiritual guidance. Since that historic era, both the Jaipur royal household and the general public have maintained an enduring faith in the goddess. Offering prayers here during Navratri is considered especially meritorious, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims throughout the nine-day observance. Devotees Turn Out for Day One Celebrations The first day of Navratri is traditionally dedicated to the worship of goddess Shailputri. In keeping with this practice, long queues of worshippers began forming outside the Shila Mata temple from early morning hours. Pilgrims arrived not only from across Jaipur city, but also from different districts of Rajasthan and neighbouring states. Men, women, and children stood patiently in organized lines awaiting their turn, praying before the goddess for the happiness, peace, and prosperity of their families. To commemorate the festive period, the entire temple precinct has been decorated with vibrant fresh flowers and elaborate decorative lighting, serving as a visual highlight for visiting devotees. Arrangements for Security and Crowd Safety With thousands of worshippers expected daily throughout the festive period, civil authorities and law enforcement agencies have instituted robust safety measures to regulate the crowd and prevent untoward incidents. Substantial police personnel have been stationed across the Amer Palace grounds, temple entrance points, and surrounding passageways. Personnel from the Home Guards and the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) have been deployed on site to reinforce security and assist with crowd flow. Municipal Corporation teams are working continuously to maintain cleanliness and oversee basic civic amenities. In addition, dedicated medical personnel have been placed on standby to handle emergencies, ensuring that visiting devotees experience smooth and orderly darshan during the festival. What this means for you The commencement of the Navratri festival at Amer Shila Mata temple directly influences travel schedules, crowd density, and visiting protocols around Jaipur's historic fort area. • In Jaipur: Elevated footfall around the Amer Palace zone will impact local vehicular flow and entry timing throughout the day. Visitors should budget extra waiting time due to barricaded queue systems and mandatory security screenings. • Across Rajasthan: Devotees traveling from across the state will find dedicated administrative, transport, and sanitisation arrangements in place. Emergency civic and medical teams will remain active around Amer for the entire nine-day festival duration. • For Pilgrims: General darshan has commenced and will proceed according to regulated schedule following the morning rituals. Worshippers are advised to follow designated pedestrian routes to ensure seamless movement into the inner sanctum. • For Tourists: Sightseers visiting the Amer complex will experience larger crowds than usual during palace hours. Entry checkpoints supervised by police and state constabulary will enforce strict access management across key courtyards. Why this happened The commencement of Shardiya Navratri marks the traditional period of goddess worship in the Hindu calendar, leading to solemn rituals and the Ghatasthapana ceremony at Amer's Shila Mata shrine. • Religious Custom: Vedic traditions prescribe the ceremonial installation of the sacred urn on the first day of the festival to invoke divine blessings. Temple priests performed this vital ritual at the designated auspicious hour to open the nine-day observances. • Historic Lineage: The sacred idol was enshrined at Amer in the sixteenth century by Maharaja Man Singh I after being brought from Jasore in Bengal. This centuries-old royal connection continues to inspire deep religious devotion among locals and pilgrims alike. • Crowd Management Planning: Anticipating heavy pilgrim turnout typical of this annual festival, district authorities mobilized dedicated forces and municipal teams in advance. Temple doors opened for public viewing immediately after the private rituals concluded to ensure systematic entry. Questions & Answers 1. What time was the Ghatasthapana ceremony conducted at the Amer Shila Mata temple? The Ghatasthapana ceremony was conducted by head priests during the auspicious muhurat at 11:55 AM. 2. When did general public darshan open for devotees on the first day? The doors of the temple were opened for general devotees around 1:00 PM following the sacred rituals and adornment of the deity. 3. Who brought the Shila Mata idol to Amer and when? Maharaja Man Singh I of the Kachhwaha dynasty brought the miraculous idol from Jasore in Bengal during the sixteenth century. 4. Which form of the goddess is worshipped on the first day of Navratri? The first day of the festival is dedicated to the traditional worship of goddess Shailputri. 5. What security forces have been deployed for crowd regulation at the shrine? Local police personnel along with Home Guards and the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) have been posted across the premises. https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/amer-ke-shila-mata-mndira-men-shardiya-navratri-anushthana-shuru-shubha-muhurta-men-ghatasthapana-ke-bada-khule-pata-46355 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.