![Joint Director Tourism Jammu Sunaina Sharma Mehta along with other dignitaries during a Navratra event at Katra on Wednesday. Joint Director Tourism Jammu Sunaina Sharma Mehta along with other dignitaries during a Navratra event at Katra on Wednesday.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/page8-8-4-696x403.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 18: A vibrant Shobha Yatra was organized here today on fourth day of the Navratra Festival by Directorate of Tourism Jammu in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra and the Divisional Administration Jammu.
Sunaina Sharma Mehta, Joint Director Tourism Jammu, graced the colorful procession along with Chairman of the Municipal Committee Katra Vimal Indu, DDC Member Katra Nirmala Devi, DDC Member Panthal Rajinder Mengi, Superintendent of Police Katra Vipan Chandra, SDM Katra Deepak Dubey, AD Tourism Katra Arif Lone and other officials from the Department.
In her address, the Joint Director emphasized the Navratra Festival’s significance, stating that Navratra symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the profound significance of devotion, attracting pilgrims due to the divine presence of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji.
She further added this year they have expanded the Navratra festivities beyond Katra to encompass Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua and Basholi. “The Basholi Utsav will feature Ramleela, Basholi paintings and exquisite Pashmina shawls, offering a rich cultural experience for all, while emphasizing the importance of environmental responsibility,” she added.
Later, she visited the Yog Ashram Complex in Katra, where the All India Devotional Song Competition, a key highlight of the ongoing Navratra Festival, was in full swing. Singers captivated the audience with their soul-stirring devotional songs and bhajans, creating an atmosphere replete with spiritual bliss.
Earlier, in the day, a series of events including a soul-stirring Parbhat Pheri in the early morning and an enchanting Bhagwat Katha in the evening was organized at the sacred Durga Bhawan in Katra. Additionally, the festival featured a captivating Ramleela performance at Higher Secondary School Katra, a laser show and Multimedia Exhibition along with culturally rich programs.
Enchanting presentation of ‘Mata Ki Kahani’ by the renowned Natrang theatre group was also performed on the occasion.