EARLY TIMES REPORT
KATRA, Sept 30: The 9-day Navratra Festival-2008 began with magnificent Shoba Yatra depicting the rich cultural heritage of the state. Advisor to Governor, Dr. S. S. Bloeria inaugurated the mega event at Katra, the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, by lighting the traditional lamp at Asia Crossing on Tuesday.
The Navratra Festival, 13th in the series, is being organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Tourism Department, in collaboration with the local organizations.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, a magnificent Shobha Yatra, depicting the rich cultural heritage of the State amidst spiritual ambience, was taken out from the Asia Crossing which culminated at bus stand. The procession comprised a large number of pilgrims from across the country and abroad, school children, cultural troupes and tableau. The helicopters showered flower petals on the procession adding colour to the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bloeria prayed for peace, tranquility and prosperity in the state and the country.
Lauding the people of Katra for their untiring efforts in creating facilities for the pilgrims, Dr. Bloeria said that the town has achieved manifold development over the years with the blessings of the Goddess. He said pilgrims are our honoured guests and we should do as much as we can for facilitating them. He exuded confidence that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the locals would put in their best efforts in taking all care of the pilgrims.
Complimenting the organizers of the Navratra Festival-2008, Dr Bloeria hoped that the event would be a memorable one.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey, who is also the Chairman of the Navratra Festival Committee, hoped that the festival would help in attracting more and more pilgrims to the shrine and their number cross the last year's record mark.
President, Municipal Committee, Katra, Mulkh Raj Purohit welcomed the participants to the inaugural function and urged for making the festival more vibrant in the years to come so that record number of pilgrims are attracted. He gave details of various measures taken for beautification of Katra town which include installing of street and mast lights, besides ensuring cleanliness. Director Tourism, Jammu, Sarita Chauhan presented vote of thanks.
Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, B. B. Vyas, Additional Chief Executive Officer, M. K. Dwivedi, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Sanjeev Verma, Joint Director Information, Jammu, Shyam Bijyal, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Varinder Slathia, SDM, Katra,. R. R. Sharma, Lt. Gen.(Retd) Sadhotra, President J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, Shiv Kumar Sharma, President Cultural Association Katra, Surinder Khajuria, President All India Devotional Song Committee, Rakesh Wazir, President Hassya Vayang Committee, Gopal Padha, President Bhagwat Katha Committee, Sardari Lal Dubey and members of the festival committee were prominent among those present on the occasion. |
