Early Times Report
Jammu, Sep 27: The holy Katra town, base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, is all set to host nine-day long Navratra festival starting from September 29.
Chief Executive Officer, Shrine Board, Simrandeep Singh on Friday said,'all arrangements are in place with better facilities for the pilgrims.'
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board along with district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth and successful conduct of festival, which would be organising several events and activities like Shobha Yatra, All India Devotional Song Competition, Hasya Vayang, Mata Ki Chowki, Bhagwati Katha, Kavi Sammelan, wrestling competition and other programmes.
The CEO further said that Bhawan was beautifully decorated with high quality flowers imported from New Zealand, Singapore, Palampur, Holland and Thailand.
He revealed that fruits like apple, banana, grapes, coconuts were also imported from different states and countries, adding, 'these Navratras, 'golden gate' will be the highlight at the Bhawan, which will surely mesmerise the pilgrims.'
Pertinent to mention here that the Shrine Board has installed 'golden gate' made of gold, silver and copper outside the natural cave as a part of revamping of the Bhawan area and installed ahead of Navratras.
The CEO also added that 40,000 to 45,000 thousand pilgrims were expected to visit every day during Navratras and the figure touches around three to 3.5 lakhs during this period.
Besides, facilities like water, electricity, cleanliness, health centres, toilets, hygienic food stalls were also being looked into as usual in routine, for the pilgrims.
Meanwhile, tight security has also been put in place in Katra town with additional deployment of para-military troops.
Closed circuit cameras have also been installed in Katra town and en-route Bhawan to keep watch on various activities.
'As many as 25 CCTVs are installed in Katra town and for their monitoring, a control has also been set up,' a senior police officer said.
'There are so many events to be organised during the festival and every venue will have tight security arrangements,' Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi Rashmi Wazir, here said.
She said that out of total 25 CCTVs, police would be monitoring the 16 important locations and rest by the Shrine Board and added, 'the adjoining religious places like Agar Jitto, Shiv Khori Shrine, Nau Deviyan, Baba Dhansar have also been augmented with deployment of extra troops.'
'Apart from police and CRPF, para-military troops are also deployed in the town for incident free celebrations and to keep watch on any unwanted movement in the town,' the top cop said.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh on Thursday also reviewed security scenario during his visit to Katra town ahead of nine-day long Navratra festival.
Singh issued necessary directions to the District Police officers and CRPF to keep vigil on the anti-national and anti-social elements.
He also took the stock of the security arrangements on ground in Katra town including Tarakote Track where security has been beefed up in view of the forthcoming navratras.
More than three lakh pilgrims visit the cave shrine during Navratras, said an official adding that in the year 2018, 3,18,753 pilgrims paid obeisance whereas 3,02,067 pilgrims registered for darshans in 2017.
The District Administration, Reasi and Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements for Navratras in Katra and all along track for comfortable and memorable pilgrimage.
Special discounts were also offered by the traders and hoteliers body of Katra for the pilgrims during this period.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik would inaugurate the Navratra festival at Katra town on September 29.
The Navratra festival was started in 1996 and over the years, has attained popularity and International game. |
