KATRA: Ramesh Kumar, the divisional commissioner for Jammu, performed a thorough assessment of the preparations for the forthcoming annual Navratra celebration on Tuesday. That festival is set to begin on October 15, 2023, and last through October 23, 2023. The festival’s opening ceremony will take place at Yog Ashram Ground in Katra, and it will be followed by a Shobha Yatra and a major event that will highlight the cultural history of Jammu and Kashmir and all of India. The festival’s scheduled programmes and events were covered in depth by the director of tourism during the meeting, along with discussions with stakeholders for feedback.In addition, the Divisional Commissioner thoroughly examined a number of factors, such as town beautification, cleanliness, necessary services, traffic management, and emergency services. Throughout the Navratra days, he gave orders to officers to maintain sanitation from Domel to Katra Town. Also discussed were the plans for congregational events including “Prabhat Pheris,” “Mata ki Kahani” recitation, “Devotional Song Competition,” “Ram Leela,” “Dangal,” and other cultural activities. The Mata Kahani event would take place at the Spiritual Growth Centre, while Ram Leela would be presented every day from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Government Higher Secondary School Katra.For October 21st, Padma Shri Sachdev Government PG College for Women Gandhinagar Jammu will host the Garba Night and Garba Dandiya Night. All India Devotional song performances, Bhagwat Katha, folk festivals, Hassaya Vyang, Mata Ka Jagran, Kavi Samelan, wrestling competitions, programmes for children with disabilities, and other cultural activities are among the additional events that are planned during the festival days. To guarantee the seamless operation of all programmes during the Navratra festival for the convenience of pilgrims, the Divisional Commissioner sent instructions to all concerned departments and organisers. He stressed the importance of creating a festive atmosphere and instructed the Tourism Department and Municipal Committee Katra to decorate key areas with ornamental illuminations at entrances.The Divisional Commissioner asked officers to work together, make the required preparations in advance, and provide adequate traffic control, impenetrable security, road upkeep, street beautification, and sanitary conditions in Katra town. Additionally, he urged for consistent water and power supplies throughout Navratra and stressed the need for failsafe security measures. The Divisional Commissioner expressed his optimism that the Navratra festival would boost regional religious and pilgrimage travel and draw more tourists to the area. To complete the arrangements, the CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was entrusted with hosting a review meeting with all parties involved. Anshul Garg, CEO of the SMVD Shrine Board, Vivekanand Rai, Babila Rakwal, Deputy Commissioner of Reasi, Amit Gupta, Joint Director of Information, Joint Director of Tourism, SDM Katra, and senior officers of the police and civil service, as well as representatives of various religious organisations, market association presidents, eminent citizens, and other concerned citizens, attended the meeting.
