Deputy Commissioner, Prasana Ramaswamy G today convened a meeting of officers to review arrangements for ensuing Navratra festival at Katra.The meeting was attended by Additional CEO of the Shrine Board Anshul Garg, CEO SMDA (Nodal Officer Navratra Festival Katra), Arvind Kotwal, SSP Reasi, Tahir Bhat, SDM Katra, Neelam Khajuria, Tehsildar Mohit Raina, SDPO Ashok Sharma, XENs and other concerned officers.The popular Navratra Festival 2017 at Katra is being organized by the Department of Tourism and district administration in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Arrangements for transportation of artists from Reasi for Ramleela, sanitation in the town, power supply at all venues, security and all other arrangements were discussed threadbare in the meeting.Instructions were passed to the PHE functionaries to ensure barricading and regular supply of water at the locations of festival. The PDD was also directed to ensure proper lightening and illumination of the main locations.Meanwhile, AD Tourism, Dr.Umesh Shan informed that traditional procession (Shoba Yatra) would be taken out from inaugural venue which will culminate at Foara Cowk. Jhankis would be based on the theme Mata Ki Pindi, Swaroop of Mata, Swacch Bharat Mission and Ram Darbar.It was further informed that the festival would also witness Mata Ki Kahani by Natrang Jammu and Ram Leela by the main Ram Leela organizers of Jammu and Reasi. Likewise, devotional songs and folk competitions would also be part of Navratra Festival. As per past practice, popular dangal would be organized on September 24, 2017 at main Stadium Katra.It was also isclosed that there will be Prabhat Pehris daily during all the Navratra days which will begin at 5:30 am from Bus Stand Katra to Darshan Deodi Ban Ganga. This group will formally welcome the pilgrims and other devotees visiting Katra.Later, the Deputy Commissioner accompanied by SDM and other officers visited all the identified venues where different functions would be held. He passed instructions to the officers to keep close liaison with each other to make this festival a grand success.