JAMMU, Oct 10: The Jammu Yatri Bhawan Trust (JYBT) will organise sacred recitations of Maa Chandi Path and Shri Ramayana Paath at its Haridwar Bhawan during the upcoming Ashwin Shardiya Navratri Parav 2026, inviting devotees to participate in the nine-day spiritual celebrations and seek the blessings of Goddess Adi-Shakti Maa Durga.
Briefing the media about the religious significance of the festival, Pawan Kumar Shastri, President of the Jammu Yatri Bhawan Trust, said that Ashwin Shukla Paksha Navratri would commence on Sunday, October 11, and culminate on Monday, October 19, on the occasion of Mahanavami.
He said Navratri is dedicated to the worship of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, symbolising divine feminine energy, spiritual awakening and the eternal triumph of good over evil. The festival holds immense religious significance for devotees, who observe the auspicious days with prayers, rituals and devotion.
Shastri explained that the nine forms of Goddess Durga worshipped during Navratri are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri and Maa Siddhidatri. Devotees seek the blessings of these divine manifestations for protection, prosperity, strength and spiritual fulfilment.
Highlighting the broader spiritual significance of Maa Durga, he said the Goddess represents Shakti, the supreme feminine energy that nurtures, protects and destroys evil forces. Her worship inspires courage, devotion, resilience and righteousness.
He further explained that, according to the spiritual interpretation shared by the Trust, the eleven manifestations of the Goddess encompass the five Gyan Indriyas (organs of knowledge), the five Karma Indriyas (organs of action) and the mind. These symbolise the connection between divine energy and human existence.
Shastri added that sincere worship of Adi-Shakti Maa Durga guides devotees towards the four Purusharthas of life—Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth and prosperity), Kama (desire) and Moksha (liberation)—helping them pursue a life of purpose, harmony and spiritual fulfilment.
On the occasion, the Jammu Yatri Bhawan Trust extended an invitation to devotees to participate in the sacred recitations of Maa Chandi Path and Shri Ramayana Paath at Haridwar Bhawan. Devotees unable to attend throughout the nine-day period may join the celebrations on the commencement or concluding day.
The Trust has also made arrangements for devotees wishing to perform Maa Durga Paath and participate in the rituals as yajmans. Those unable to attend in person due to prior commitments or other unavoidable circumstances can also participate by completing the prescribed form and watch the live recitation of their Paath through the Trust’s official Facebook page.
Providing details about participation and enquiries, Gurdas Sharma, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer of the Trust, shared the following contact numbers: Jammu helpline, 7051122990; Haridwar office, 9897128391; and B.C. Road office, 8899521923. Devotees may also contact Field Officer Balbir Singh at 9419662100 and PRO-cum-Manager, Haridwar, Rohit Sharma, at 8272075251.
The press conference was attended by Raj Kumar Gupta, Vice-President; Gurdas Sharma, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer; other prominent trustees; and devotees of Maa Durga.
Gurdas Sharma expressed gratitude to all participants and members of the press for their presence and coverage of the Trust’s Navratri preparations. He reiterated the Trust’s commitment to facilitating religious and spiritual activities for devotees during the auspicious festival.