Navratra Festival-2009
Audience enthralled in Shoba Yatra on 7th Navratra

Katra, September 24 - Congratulating the devotees and locals of Katra on the occasion of Navratra Festival, Health Minister, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma said Katra town is a religious pilgrim destination and our state government is providing all out support for the facilities to the visiting devotees and development of this town. He said during last two decades, out state has suffered a lot due to militancy in the state but our communal harmony and mutual brotherhood has set an example for others to emulate especially of this holy town where over 70 lakhs of devotees from all parts of the country irrespective of caste, creed and colour visit Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Cave through out the year.

Earlier, the Minister also participated in the Shoba Yatra as chief guest and lighted the Shoba Yatra Akhand Jyoti at the Asia Crossing.

Additional Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, District Development Commisioner, Reasi, Pandirang Pole, Senior Superintendent of Poilice, Anand Jain, Director Local Bodies, Jammu, Khursheed Ahmed Bhat, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Katra, Rashpaul Singh, Deputy Director Tourism, President Hotel & Restaurant Association, Sham Lal Kesar, President All India Devotional Song Competition, Rakesh Wazir, Ashu Magotra, Gen. Secretary Sewa Bharty, R.S.Manhas and others were also present on the occasion.

Number of Jankies which include Narsingha, Dhol Bajae, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Sarswati and Maha Kali, Durga Kalratri, Sharavan Kumar with parents, Ravan Darbar & Saroop Nakha & Meghnath, Khebat, Radha Krishan, Dhol Baja party from MP, Sunar Kee Dukaan, Kud dance by Khem Raj & party from Bhumagh, Saant during marriage, Dogri Bhakh, Jambulochan, Jatter of Devi Devtas etc was also taken out with the Shoba Yatra which after passing through the main bazzar and other locations finally culminated at the Government Higher secondary School.

Thousands of devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi and locals witness the programme with great devotion and religious fervour.

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