Katra/Jammu, October 21 (Scoop News)- A large number of pilgrims from across the country witnessed a scintillating cultural procession depicting rich culture of the state and other parts of the country taken out from Asia Crossing, where The Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Medical & Technical Education, R.S. Chib who was the chief guest on the 6th Navratra, lit the sacred Joyti before the start of impressive procession.
Navratra Festival being organized by Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and Department of Tourism in collaboration with District Administration and local organizations at Katra.
Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Mrs. Nirmal Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, Raghubir Singh, Additional SP Katra, Mohan Lal, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Ashok Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Inderjeet Bhagat and officers of different department accompanied the chief guest.
The colorful Janhkies including traditional dances like Assame, Himachali, Dogri & Ladhkhi, Bal Devta’s roop, Bakerwals, Kud and various scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata were so tastefully decorated that no one could resist himself to give repeated applause and slogans in praise of goddess Durga.
The impressive Shoba Yatra- cum- cultural procession was taken out from the Asia Crossing which after passing through the main bazaars and other locations of the Katra town culminated at GHSS, Katra.
To educate the masses about the various schemes of the government, the different government departments have put up there departmental stalls in the premises of Government Higher Secondary School, Katra.
In the meanwhile, Artists of Song and Drama Division, Ministry of I&B (GOI) presented mesmerizing cultural presentations based on folk songs and dances of different regions of the country depicting rich ethos of our cultural heritage which were highly liked and appreciated by the jam-packed audience in the premises of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Katra.
Similarly religious discourses on Ramayana and Bhagwat Geeta are being delivered at Raghunath Mandir, Katra from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.