'Navratra' to commence in Katra from Oct 5

Navratra, the festival of devotion dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga, will commence from October 5 in Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, the base camp of Mata Vaishnodevi shrine.
To discuss arrangements for the ensuing nine-nights long festival, District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary convened a meeting of senior officials and members of Navratra Festival Celebration Committee at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).
The DDC was apprised of the activities to be performed during the period besides other preparations being made for conducting the festivities smoothly.
Choudhary asked the officers to come up with innovative and impressive events with in the available resources to ensure maximum public participation.

He said that being a momentous affair of Jammu division, emphasis should be laid on traditional programmes.
The main objective of organising the festival is to showcase the culture and traditions of Jammu, Iqbal said, adding that all necessary arrangements have been made by the administration to make it a grand success.

It was also decided during the meeting that the best decorated hotel and restaurant during the celebrations in the town would be awarded by the organising committee.
Various measures have been put in place for cleanliness, illumination and decoration of streets ahead of Navratras.
Deployment of security, arrangements for emergency and fire services were also discussed.

The DDC also inspected the venues of celebration and asked the PHE Department for round-the-clock potable drinking water supply in the town.
The main function will be held with flagging off Shobha Yatra and cultural procession from Asia Chowk.
Over a dozen cultural programmes, educational awareness and recreation, wrestling competition and bhajan are being organised.