Navratri: This Durga devotee balances 21 urns on chest

Marking the commencement of the nine-day long Navratri festival, this ardent devotee of Goddess Durga has kept a structure made of 21 'Kalash' or sacred urns on his chest as a mark of respect to the deity.

Bihar's Nageshwar Baba has been doing this nine-day annual ritual for 22 years as a mark of devotion towards Goddess Durga.

"I've been keeping Kalash on my chest every year since last 22 years. Goddess Durga has bestowed upon me the strength to continue with this task. I started fasting 15 days earlier than everyone. The excitement and happiness one is filled with can not be concealed as Durga Puja approaches. A number of people come for Maa's 'darshan' during this time and see my devotion towards her," he told ANI.

Nageshwar continued, "I dreamt about falling sick and found myself actually falling sick at night. The doctor informed that both my kidneys were damaged. However, after worshipping and with the grace of Maa, I recovered the very next morning. Since then I have devoted myself all the more in the service of Durga Maa."

As per Vijay Yadav, the founder of Navlakha Mandir, the structure which Nageshwar Baba places on his chest weighs nearly 45 kilograms.

"Navlakha Mandir celebrates Navaratri with enthusiasm. We carry out all the rituals in devotion to Durga Maa during this period. We fully support Nageshwar Baba in his devotion to the Goddess," he added.

Also known as Sharad Navratri, the occasion is believed to mark Goddess Durga's victory over demon Mahishasura, signifying victory of good over evil.

The festival is celebrated across the country in different forms and involves worship of Goddess Durga and her nine avatars. Devotees offer prayers to the Hindu Goddess and observe fast. The tenth day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami.