![Organizers and guests of Devotional Song Competition with winners of the preliminary round on inaugural day. Organizers and guests of Devotional Song Competition with winners of the preliminary round on inaugural day.](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4444-696x397.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 17: All India Devotional Song Competition, as a part of Navratra Festival 2023 at Katra, began last evening.
The mega competition is being organised jointly by SMVD Shrine Board, Deptt of J&K Tourism and Mh1, in association with J&K Bank, DIVINTI, Nice Gems, Nidesh Builders Jammu Pvt Ltd Jammu, Pure Roots and Yog Ashram Trust with active support of District Administration and the local host community.
Swami Yoganand Maharaj formally inaugurated the event in presence of famous singer Dheeraj Kant; Chairman Devotional Song Committee & President Hotel Association Katra, Rakesh Wazir; former winners of the Competition, Vanshika Jaral and Meenu Atwal; judges of the Competition, Prince Khajuria and others.
While speaking on the occasion, the Swami said that this competition has provided platform to the budding singers besides giving a big boost to the Tourism.
In first day of the preliminary round of the competition, famous singer Rahul Lakhotra took first position while Vaishali Prajapati & Aditya Kumar shared 2nd position. 3rd position was again shared by two persons i.e. Arundeep Singh and Sunil Atwal. They were provided with the cash prizes of Rs 10,000, 5,000 and 3,000 respectively by the chief guest.
The Grand Finale of the All India Devotional Song Competition will be held on 23rd of October and winners will be awarded with gold amounting to Rs 3 lakh and a recording contract with Venus and likewise the runners ups will get gold worth Rs one lakh and Rs 50,000 respectively.
The Competition was adjudged by the panels of experts in music, including Dr Usha Bhagati (Ex HoD Music MAM College), Dr Surinder Sharma and Dr C L Verma.
Celebrity singer Dheeraj Kant, known for his famous songs Mujhe Dass Bana Le, Rachaiya Srishti Ko Jis Prabhu Ne etc enthralled the audience with his melodious songs and mesmerized the audience with his melodious voice and likewise Vanshika Jaral, former winner of the competition too performed and the total environment of the venue became spiritual.
Proceeding of the Competition was conducted by Rakesh Wazir who is also the Chairman of the said event. He said that preliminary rounds of the competition will continue till 20th Oct and any one can enroll by simply making a call on 9419915907.