news details |
|
|
| Navratra Festival being celebrated from Sept 23. | | Efforts being made to promote it as major national event: Akhtar | |
JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 21- Developing and projecting Navratra Festival-2006 as one of the major national events on the same pattern as other such festivals celebrated throughout the country, the Secretary Tourism Department, Mr. Naeem Akhtar sought peoples cooperation in making the event a grand success.
Saying that Navratra festival is one of the most celebrated one in the entire region, Mr. Akhtar said that it is imperative to conduct and project it on the same pattern as other landmark festivals celebrated in the country including Lord Ganesh festival at Maharashtra, Dussehra in Kulu and Mysore, Rajasthan festival, Pushkar and others.
Dwelling on the details of the festival during a press conference organized here this morning, Mr. Akhtar apprised that the J&K Tourism department in collaboration with the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra is celebrating the 11th Navratra festival from September 23rd to October 1st at Katra.
Divulging on the arrangements made for the convenience of pilgrims, Mr. Akhtar said that the festival has been organized with the active support and participation of local associations and groups that include Hotel and Restaurant Association Katra, Travel and Trade Associations, JKTDC, Municipal Committee Katra, Chamber of Commerce Katra, Song and Drama Division, Government of India and other state government departments. He said elaborate preparations have been made for the smooth and successful conduct of Navratra festival-2006.
Apprising about the constitution of Navratra Festival Committee comprising of 36 members and headed by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Mr. Parmod Jain, who will be Chairman of the Committee, the Secretary said that sub committees have also been constituted to look after different aspects of the festival. He said a religious cultural bonanza has been arranged for the devotees which will be the major cultural event of Northern India. He informed about the special sanitation drive and face lifting done by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra Municipality, various departments and local industry. Katra town ship is being decorated with ornamental gates and other decorations including ornamental lighting on hotels, shops and buildings during festival period. Decorations are being made at Bhawan and enroute by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra. The Festival Committee has announced awards for the best decorated hotel, best decorated shop and best decorated building during the festival. Hostels at Katra are also offering special discount of 40 percent on room tariff during festival days, he added.
For the first time Sahara TV would telecast the live coverage of the inaugural function at Katra, JK Channel would also gave live coverage of the festival besides CNN, Vision Channel and IBM have assured to telecast programmes on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi from Bhawan. Star and Zee TV network would also present programmes on the Navratra festival.
It was apprised that one of the main events of the festival would be Shoba Yatra cum Cultural procession which will be taken out through the main roads of Katra town daily from 6.30 p.m. from Asia Chowk. A large number of troupes of folk dances and tableaux depicting various folk and devotional themes will be a part of the procession.
Another popular attraction of the festival is All India Devotional Song Competition which will be held at 8.30 p.m. daily at Yog Ashram Complex Katra. Semi final will be on 30th September and final on October 1st, 2006. The winners would be awarded trophies and prizes. First prize of Rs one lakh would be presented to best artist. An All India level Wrestling competition has also been organized during the festival. Another part of the cultural bonanza is the daily programme of songs and dances by Songs and Drama Division at Higher Secondary School Katra. Star attraction included for the first time at this venue include Jagrata by Lakhbir Singh Lakkha on 23rd of September 2006 at 9 p.m. onwards and the National Award winning play "Baba Jitto" by Natrang on 30th September at 8 p.m.
School children from nearby areas will perform Children's Cultural programmes from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. in the premises of the Higher Secondary School, Katra on 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th September, 2006. The new attractions of school children include Fancy Dress competition by children, quiz competition/ symposium.
Durga Sapt Shati Path and Bagwat Khata will also be organized for the devotees from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. respectively besides a handicrafts/ handloom exhibition displaying handloom and handicraft product of the State is being organized in Higher Secondary School Katra as a part of the Festival. Other new activities include Nagrik Abhinandan, Palki Daud, Children Amusements and laughter show.
Daily transport facility will be provided for the convenience of visiting press, media journalists, judges and other participants from Jammu to Katra and back. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
