Navratra festival culminates
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 24: Though the nine -day long Navratra festival remained a low key affair this time due to COVID Pandemic, thousands of devotees however visited the various shrines and temples across the Jammu region on the last day of festival today to pay their obeisance to Goddess Durga.
As per reports 6800 pilgrims visited the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on the culminating day of Navratra festival today from different parts of the country.
But the rush was considerably very low in comparison to previous Navratras. The authorities had made elaborate arrangements in view of the pandemic for the pilgrims and all SOPs including social distancing were fully observed.
Reports reaching here said that 10,000 pilgrims performed darshan at Bawe Wali Mata temple at Bahu Fort near here on the last day of Navratra festival today. The people were seen in queues waiting for the darshan. Reports said that during last nine days of festival 69,720 pilgrims visited the holy shrine.
Likewise over one lakh pilgrims paid obeisance in Jodawali and Dolawali shrines at Bani in Kathua district during the Navratra festival and maximum of the pilgrims visiting these shrines were from neighboring States of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. In addition to it 20,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at Chechi Wali Mata shrine in Samba during the festival days while 2000 pilgrims visited the holy shrine today.
Reports said that about 25,000 pilgrims paid obeisance in the shrines of Sukhrala Mata Sundri Kot and Jasrota Fort in Kathua district during the festival days.
The nine -day long Prabhat Pheri came to culmination in holy township of Katra today which was jointly organized by JK Association of Prabhat Pheri, public of Katra and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).
Earlier Shiv Kumar Sharma former joint secretary J&K Sports Council and president of Senior Citizens Forum Katra and Kushal Sanmotra who were chief guest and guest of honour respectively cut the ribbon. A large number of locals and devotees participated in the Prabhat Pheri. Today’s attraction was dance performance God Shiva and Nandhigans showcased by Baldev and party.
The CRPF personnel ladies group led by Municipal councilor, Bindu Sharma were honoured for making arrangements necessary coordination during Prabhat Pheri. The Prabhat Pheri was coordinated by Raj Kumar Padha its chairman.
Shamsher Singh Bhandari a social activist has demanded that the number of pilgrims visiting the holy shrines including the Mata Vaishno Devi be increased. He made an appeal to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in this regard.
Meanwhile, on the culmination on the Navratra festival the devotees immersed Saakh in various rivers and canals in Jammu region. The rush of devotees was seen at river Tawi near Bikram Chowk and the Bank of Ranbir Canal at various places where a large number of devotees were seen immersing Saakh which was son and worshiped by them in their houses during the last nine days.
Rush of devotees was also seen at the banks of river Chenab at Akhnoor where large number of devotees thronged to immerse the Saakh.
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