Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 20: Katra town, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is witnessing huge rush of pilgrims from across the country and abroad during ongoing navratra festivities. The Katra
Navratra Festival which is the 17th in series is being organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Tourism Department in coordination with District Administration, Reasi and local associations of the town.
On the 5th day of the Navratra Festival, Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation and Relief, Raman Bhalla, who was the chief guest on the occasion, lit the sacred Jyoti at Asia Crossing, Katra.
Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Nirmal Sharma, Director Tourism, Jammu, R.S. Mehta, Additional SP Katra, Mohan Lal, Joint Director Tourism, Ajay Sharma, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Inderjeet Bhagat and officers of different department accompanied the chief guest.
The colourful procession being organized by Cultural Association, Katra which comprised of number of tableaus showcasing a glimpse of rich culture and traditions after passing through main locations of the Katra town, finally culminated at Higher Secondary School, Katra . Large number of pilgrims, prominent citizens, Navratra celebration committee members and senior officers participated in the procession.
Raman Bhalla also lit the traditional lamp at the venue of the All India Devotional Song Competition and praised the organizers of the event for providing platform to the budding singers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that such festivals symbolize unity in diversity beside provide a common platform to the people of all walks of irrespective of cast colour and creed to interact with each other and share their culture and traditions which further help in strengthening the bonds of brother hood and communal harmony.
At Government Higher Secondary School, Katra huge rush of audience was seen watching colourful cultural programme by Song and Drama Division, Government of India in the premises of the school.
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