Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 7: As a part of Navratra Festival a colourful procession comprising holy palanquin of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, attractive tableaux depicting varied shades of rich cultural heritage of the State and the folk troupes attired in their traditional dresses marked the 2nd day of festival last evening.
MLC, Jugal Kishore Sharma, who was the special guest on the occasion, lit the sacred Jyoti at Asia Crossing Katra, the venue of starting of the procession.
The procession after passing through main bazaars of the town culminated at Government Higher Secondary School, Katra. Enroute, devotees were seen showering petals on the procession and raising slogans in praise of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji.
District Development Commissioner Reasi, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudary, Director Tourism, Soujanya Sharma, SP Katra, Pawan Parihar, Deputy C.E.O S.M.V.D Shrine Board Katra, Anil Sharma, Assistant Director Tourism Veenakshi Kaul, President Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra, Sham Kesar, Cultural Association, Katra, Surinder Khajuria, President J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, Shiv Kumar Sharma and Members of the Festival Committee were prominent among those who accompanied the procession.
Adding colour to the ongoing Navratra Festival, Song & Drama Division (GoI) is putting its best efforts to showcase the rich Indian culture through a number of cultural performances by the folk artists in the premises of Government Higher Secondary School, Katra daily from 8.30 pm onwards.
Likewise, religious discourses on Bhagawat Katha are being organized in the premises of Raghunath Mandir, Katra from 2pm to 6 pm daily.
The functionaries of Sewa Bharti, Katra including R.S. Manhas, Sham Lal, Ajay Verma, Koushal Sharma and Vimal Sharma were seen extending their services voluntarily at the free Langer setup for the organizers and participants of Navratra Festival.
Other main events of Katra Navratra Festival like Hasya Vyang Competition would be organized at Durga Bhawan from October 9 to October 11, 2013 from 8.30 pm onward daily.
Talent Show for blind children on October 12 at 11 am in the premises of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Katra would be another attraction of the Navratra Festival.
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