Navratri 2021 celebrations kick-off across the nation, 'masked' devotees visit goddess Durga temples - In Pics

The much-revered festival of Sharad Navratri has begun today amid safety protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic. The 9-day long festival dedicated to goddess Durga celebrates 9 different forms of goddess Shakti. The festival commences from October 7 and will last till Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on October 15, this year respectively. 

The nation is soaked in the spirit of Navratri festivity and Devi temples across the country have been decked up with flowers and other embellished decorations. Take a look at Day 1 of Sharadiya Navratri celebrations in India: 

In the picture: A devotee shows her hand adorned with mehndi at the Jhandewalan temple on the first day of the 9-day long Navratri festival, in New Delhi, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

Devotees wait to offer prayers at Sheetla Mata Mandir on the first day of the 9-day long Navratri festival, in Gurugram, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo) 

Devotees along with children, dressed up as Lord Hanuman, pay obeisance at the Durgiana temple on the first day of the 9-day long Navratri festival, in Amritsar, Thursday, Oct 7, 2021. (PTI Photo)

Devotees queue up to offer prayers at the Jhandewalan temple on the first day of the 9-day long Navratri festival, in New Delhi, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary) 

A devotee offers prayer at Bawe Wali Mata Temple on the first day of the Navratri festival, in Jammu on Thursday. (ANI Photo)

Devotees visit Vindhyavasini Temple on the first day of the Navratri festival in Mirzapur, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo) 

Devotees pray on the first day of the Navratri festival, at Historical Kali Mata Temple, in Jammu, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo)

Devotees take a holy dip in the Ganga river on the first day of the Navratri festival in Patna, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo) 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his family visit a temple on the first day of the Navratri festival in Mumbai, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo) 

Devotees pray on the first day of the 'Navratri' festival in Ranchi, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo) 

View of decorated 'Darshani Deodi' (entrance) of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on the occasion of Navratri festival at Katra in Reasi, Wednesday night, Oct. 7, 2021. (PTI Photo)