Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 15 : An annual Navratra festival being held in Katra town of Reasi district, is going to be a mute affair this year in wake of the flash floods that hit Jammu and Kashmir.The nine-day long Navratras will be starting from September 25.
According to official sources, the government has decided not to organise the festival this year with fanfare and on mega platform, but only the rituals will be performed.
"There will be no big celebration this time as the state is already passing through a bad phase due to natural calamity wherein thousands have left homeless and several died," they said. With just more than one-week left for the beginning of the Navratras, the government has not made any arrangements as it is going to be a silent affair this time, sources added. "The Navratra festival will be a simple affair this time in view of the calamity took place in the state," Soujanya Sharma, Director Tourism, Jammu said. Sharma said there will be no illuminations, shows and other attractive activities, adding, "a simple 'jhanki' will be taken out on the first day and besides this, only 'Bhagwat Katha' will be part of the festival." "A review meeting will be held this evening and final decisions will be taken but it is almost finalised that the festival will remain a simple and silent event," said the director. |
