Haroli/Una, March 13 (Rajveer Chopra): This year, the festival of Chaitra Navratri will be celebrated with immense pomp and reverence at the Mata Temple in Poobowal—a renowned religious site in the Haroli region. Great enthusiasm is evident among the temple committee and local devotees regarding these auspicious Navratris, which are set to commence on March 19.
The most significant highlight of this year's festivities will be the lighting of a sacred *Akhand Jyoti* (eternal flame) within the temple, brought specially from the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi; this flame will burn continuously throughout the entire nine days of Navratri.
As is the tradition every year, the temple is currently being adorned with attractive decorations. Sanjeev Kumar, a temple volunteer, stated that thousands of devotees from the region are expected to participate in this religious festival, which spans the nine days of Chaitra Navratri. The practice of lighting an *Akhand Jyoti* during Navratri is a centuries-old tradition at this temple, regarded as a symbol of the region's peace, prosperity, and well-being.
He further explained that every year, the sacred flame of the Goddess is brought from a renowned *Shakti Peeth* (seat of divine power) and installed in the temple. Last year, this flame was brought from the Mata Mansa Devi Temple, whereas this year, it will be brought and installed from the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. A special group of devotees is scheduled to depart shortly for this purpose.
During Navratri, special religious rituals will be conducted daily at the temple. On March 19, the *Kalash Sthapana* (installation of the sacred pot) ceremony will be performed during the auspicious *muhurat* (propitious time), accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras. Additionally, every evening, local and visiting *Bhajan Mandalis* (devotional singing groups) will perform hymns in praise of the Goddess.
On the auspicious occasions of *Ashtami* (the eighth day) and *Navami* (the ninth day), a grand *Kanya Pujan* (worship of young girls) and a *Bhandara* (community feast) will be organized within the temple premises, with a large number of devotees expected to attend.