Preparations in full swing for Navratra festival

Preparations in full swing for Navratra festival Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Katra, September 21
Massive preparations are on to give a warm welcome to the pilgrims coming to the Mata Vaishno Devi holy cave shrine during the nine-day-long Navratra festival, starting from September 28.
To celebrate the festival, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), in association with the Tourism Department, has started preparations to organise a number of cultural and religious events. Besides, there will be decoration and illumination of the town, the Bhimgarh Fort in Reasi, the historic Raghunath Temple and the Bahu Fort in Jammu.
So far, the number of pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine this year has crossed the 7,14,977 lakh mark. With the nine-day-long Navratra festival, the number of pilgrims is set to increase and break the previous records. The administration is also making efforts to attract a large number of pilgrims.
For this purpose, various cultural shows, religious processions, a freestyle wrestling competition with special participation of wrestlers from England and Canada, a devotional song competition and the recitation of Bhagwat Katha would take place at different venues as part of the festival.
“Thousands of pilgrims visit the holy cave shrine during the nine-day Navratra festival, so various arrangements are being made in this regard. As a special attraction, we are organising a comedy show in which a number of performers will come from other states this year,” said Arvind Kotwal, Deputy Director, Tourism Department.
He added, “We are also organising a devotional song competition and a drama competition for the children.”
Sham Lal Kesar, president of the Hotels and Restaurant Association, Katra, said, “We have decided to give 30 per cent discount to the pilgrims on room tariffs during the Navratras.”
Meanwhile, the security arrangements have also been beefed up for the festival.
“We are conducting meetings with CRPF personnel.Night patrolling has been started,” said KR Chaurasia, SSP, Reasi.
Chaurasia added, “We are always ready to serve the people. If any pilgrim finds any unattended baggage or box, he or she should inform the police. 
Gearing up
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, in association with the Tourism Department, has started preparations to organise a number of cultural and religious events
There will be decoration and illumination in the town, the Bhimgarh Fort in Reasi, the historic Raghunath Temple and the Bahu Fort in Jammu
The number of pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine this year has crossed the 7,14,977 lakh mark and with the nine-day-long Navratra festival, the number is set to increase
Various cultural shows, religious processions, a freestyle wrestling competition with special participation of wrestlers from England and Canada, a devotional song competition and the recitation of Bhagwat Katha will take place at different venues as part of the festival