Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 5: Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, accompanied by Minister for Tourism, G.A. Mir, today inaugurated eight-day long Navrata Festival by lighting the sacred Jyoti here.
The Navratra Festival is being organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Tourism Department and District Administration, Reasi in collaboration with local organizations.
As a part of the inaugural ceremony, an attractive Shobha Yatra depicting the rich cultural heritage of the State amidst spiritual ambience was taken out from the Asia Crossing which culminated at Bus Stand. The congregation witnessed participation of a large number of pilgrims from across the country and abroad, school children, cultural troupes and tableau. The helicopters showered flower petals on the procession adding colours to the occasion.
Extending greetings to the people in general and pilgrims in particular on holy Navratras, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Navratra Festival provides an opportunity to the visiting yatris from various corners of the country and abroad to have a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir based on the peaceful co-existence of people of different faiths.
Tara Chand lauded the efforts of State Tourism Department for diverting Shri Vaishno Devi Ji Pilgrims to different tourist destinations for the promotion of tourism industry. He said work on artificial lake, cable car project at Bahu Fort, beautification of Mubarkh Mandi Complex and expansion of the Jammu Airport is under process for attracting more tourists to Jammu division.
He assured that problems like water supply, solid waste management and other similar issues of Katra town related to the smooth flow of Yatra would also be given due consideration for their early redressal.
Minister for Tourism, G.A. Mir, while speaking on the occasion said it was all due to the blessings of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji that over 1.25 crore pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine which supplement the tourism industry in the state in a big way.
Describing the Festivals as means to promote mutual brotherhood, composite culture and secularism, the Minister for Tourism said that the events, like the Navratra Festival provides and opportunity to the people of different faiths to share the joys. He said public cooperation is imperative for making such event a great success. Mr. Mir announced Rs 10 lakh enhancement in the budget of the Navratra Festival.
MLA Reasi, Baldev Raj Sharma and MLC Jugal Kishore Sharma also spoke on the occasion and assured all out help for smooth conduct of the Navratra Festival Katra.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, who is also the Chairman of the Navratra Festival Celebration Committee, gave a resume of various events going to be held during the Navratra days.
Director Tourism, Jammu, Soujanya Sharma delivered welcome address, while Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudary presented vote of thanks.
As part of the festival, Shobha yatra-cum-cultural procession will be taken out from Asia Chowk at 7.30 p.m., All India Devotional Song Competition will be held at Shri Yog Ashram Air Strip, Katra at 8 p m and cultural programme will be arranged by the Song and Drama Division at GHSS, Katra at 8.30 p.m. daily.
Similarly, religious discourses on the Ramayana and Bhagwat Gita will be held at Raghunath Mandir from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m, Hasya Vyang Competition at Durga Bhawan Katra on October 9 to October 11 at 8.30 p.m daily and wrestling competition will be held at Multipurpose Sports Stadium, Katra on October 11 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Talent Show for blind children would also be held on October 12 in the premises of GHSS, Katra at 11 a.m.
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