Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today chaired a meeting to review the preparedness for Navratri festival being organized by Tourism Department at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine base camp town of Katra. Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr M K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Ravinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Kumar Rajeev Ranjan and Director Tourism Jammu Smita Sethi, besides senior functionaries of concerned Departments were present in the meeting.In order to showcase and highlight the rich culture, heritage, and local traditions during the festival period, the Tourism Department has instituted the Navratri Festival as an annual event to be held in Katra.The festival showcases the religious traditions as well as the popular culture of the region among the millions of pilgrims who visit the Vaishno Devi Shrine during this period.
Threadbare discussions were held on the arrangements to be put in place by the concerned Departments for the annual festival.The Deputy Chief Minister directed the Tourism Department to install banners and hoardings in the whole city for wide publicity of the festival. He also directed the Department to conduct Rameela in Katra town in an impressive way.The meeting was informed that various cultural events would be organized during the Navratri festival at Katra which includes holding Ramleela, International Wrestling Competition, and devotional Song competition. While addressing the meeting, Priya Sethi said the importance of Kol Kandoli temple should also be highlighted in the festival so that tourists visit the shrine.She asked the Tourism Department to chalk out modalities to improve tourism related services in the State. For this, she stressed on the need for skill enhancement of the tourism service providers through progressive orientation.