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| Katra to glitter on Navratra festival | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 17- The nine day annual Navratra festival being organised jointly by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Tourism department , district administration , Katra Municipality and the local hospitality industry will be inaugurated on September 19 at Katra by the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand.
Giving the details about the Navratra festival at well attended press conference here today, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal who is also the chairman of Navratra festival Organising Committee said that during the nine day festival different functions will be organised at Katra, which is the main hub of the festival, Reasi, Akhnoor and Jammu. He said that the festival being organised for the last 14 years, has with the passage of the time grown in importance to become the leading event for highlighting the tourism potential of Jammu and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of this region.
Highlighting the different events of this year’s celebrations at Katra, Dr. Kotwal said that the festival will be inaugurated at Asia Chowk at 12 Noon which will be fallowed by a cultural procession-cum-shobha yatra . He said that the shobha yatra will comprise of troupe and tableaux exhibiting the culture and traditions of Jammu and will commence from hotel Asia at 7:00 P.M.on all days from Sept, 20 onwards. Katra he said will be illuminated during the nine days and different government departments like Handicraft, Handloom etc will put up their stalls.
The Divisional Commissioner said that the main attractions of the festival will be All India Devotional Song Competition and wrestling competition in which contestants from different parts of the country will participate. All India Devotional Song Competition will be organised at Yoga Ashram grounds and the winner of this grand finale will be awarded prize of Rs 1 lakh in gold coins of the Goddess arranged by SMVDSB. He said that in the wrestling competitions organised to cater to the rural populace inhabiting the surrounding areas of Katra town. He said that the competition will be organised in Vivekananda Sports stadium on September 22 and the wrestlers from other countries are also expected to participate in the event. Sermons of Bhagwat Gita and Ramayan at Shri Ragunath Mandir, symposium on the history of Goddess Durga and cultural programmes organised by Song and Drama Division, Govt of India will be some other highlights of the festival.
Dr. Pawan Kotwal informed that the students from the different schools of Katra and Reasi will be involved in the celebrations . He said that a fancy dress competition and cultural programme will be organised at Govt. Higher Secondary School, Katra. A heritage walk of school children from Katra to Reasi will be organised on September 20.
The Divisional Commissioner said that the Governor Mr. N.N. Vohra who is also the Chairman of SMVDSB has envisaged the make Katra town , Bhawan and the track area eco-friendly and pollution free zone. He said that in a recently held meeting with Union Minister for Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Governor had evinced keen interest in increasing the use of solar energy to replace traditional fuels for cooking. In wake of his concern over environment issues, a rally on environment awareness will be organised in which the children of different school shall participate, he added.
Dr. Kotwal said that the Tourism department will be organising seminars on tourists trade act, and Eco- tourism, pilgrim- tourism and adventure tourism . He said that the 17th century, Bhimgarh fort of Reasi will be illuminated and daily visits to the fort, prabhat pheries , devotional song competition, jhulla rides will be organised at Reasi.
Besides the events at Katra and Reasi, Dr. Kotwal said that the Tourism department along with the district administration, Jammu will be organising a heritage walk for school children from Ambran to Jio-Pothe ghat in Akhnoor, aarti of river Chenab, illumination of Shrine, fort and Chenab river front at Akhnoor. He said that at Jammu Bahu Fort and Aquarium area will be illuminated and cultural programmes will be organised at Bagh-e- Bahu, Jammu. He said that Kol Kandoli temple at Nagrota will also be dcorated for the festival.
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