Navratra festival activities to be organised with strict adherence to SOPs
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 5: Tourism Department Jammu in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have geared up for organising annual Navratra Festival 2021 at Katra from October 7 to October 15.
Pertinently, to promote pilgrimage tourism in J&K, the Navratra Festival was started in 1996 and the event has attained international fame and popularity over the years.
The festival could not be organized last year due to Covid-19. This year, the administration has decided to organize it on a limited scale, owing to the fact that a large number of people have been vaccinated.
Addressing the media persons here today, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer said that the festival has huge significance but keeping in view the Covid pandemic the administration with active involvement of all the stakeholders like Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, tourism department, District Administration Reasi, Transporters, Hoteliers, Event Organisers, civil society, have decided to celebrate the festival on a limited scale to maintain the tradition and heritage.
He also informed that all the activities have been planned keeping in view the pandemic many of routine events, which involve heavy rush of public, have been curtailed. Many events have been redesigned to minimize public gathering.
DC Reasi, while giving details, informed that unlike past practice, Shobha Yatra would be taken out only on the first and the last Navratra to avoid public gatherings, while Devotional Song performance will be hosted for two days instead of National level competition for 8 days.
The play ‘Mata ki Kahani’ would be presented by Natrang Theatre Group in the Auditorium of Spiritual Growth Centre with a limited audience. The show will also be telecast at different locations through LED screens to avoid large gatherings at a single place and to ensure that a greater number of people can witness the performance in their own personal space.
However, Prabhat Pheri will continue for 8 days from Bus Stand covering Darshani Deodi to Raghunath Temple and Bhumika Temple.
The festival will be inaugurated from Hotel Surya Palace on October 7, at 11 am. A shobha yatra would be taken out from the venue to Fountain Chowk, Katra.
It was informed that culture programmes and Multimedia exhibitions would be held at Higher Secondary School Katra, Devotional Songs performances at Yog Ashram Ground, Bhagvat Katha from 8 to 15 October at Shri Raghunath Temple Katra, Kavi Samellan and Hassaya Samellan at Higher Secondary School Katra on 11 and 12 October respectively, wrestling competition on October 10 at Katra stadium, programme by specially abled children on October 13 at Spiritual Growth Centre Katra.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Anshul Garg informed that three events are being organized in Jammu district for the tourists and the people of Jammu and Kashmir for creating an atmosphere of festivity. Gharba and Dandia Night would be held at Gulshan Ground Jammu on October 9, Dogri Food Festival and Traditional Costume/ Attire display competition at Jammu Haat on October 10, Mata Ki Bhaint (Jagran) at Raghunath Bazar on October 13.
Director Tourism Jammu, SSP Reasi were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Dr Langer visited the Central University – Jammu campus in Raya Vijaypur along with Deputy Commissioner Samba, Anuradha Gupta and reviewed the status of ongoing civil works.
During the meeting, Vice Chancellor Central University, Professor Ashok Aima appraised the present status of Academics, Research, Land, Building, Roads and other aspects of the Central University.
The Div Com reviewed the status of the civil works and directed revenue officials to immediately get the land vacated and handover it to the executing agencies for completion of the remaining works including roads, drainage, Campus construction, fencing/boundary wall etc.
The Divisional Commissioner also visited the Railway crossing at Raya and directed to submit a detailed DPR with action taken report for construction of a flyover.
While responding to the demands of the Central University, the Div Com directed Executive Engineer JPCDL for early construction and commissioning of 2×10 MVA, 33/11 KV receiving station at Bagla, while PWD was directed to expedite blacktopping of the remaining stretch of the approach road.
The Divisional Commissioner also directed the District Administration Samba to hold review meetings on regular intervals to ensure the completion of all left out civil works in the stipulated time period.
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