Katra/Udhampur/Jammu,October 12 (Scoop News) – The Navratra Festival 2010 being organized by Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and J&K Tourism Department in collaboration with various local organizations entered into forth day on Monday. An attractive procession reflecting different facets of rich cultural heritage of the state was taken out from
Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik who was the chief guest on the occasion, lit the Sacred Jyoti before the start of colourful procession at
The procession after passing through main locations of the holy town culminated at Higher Secondry School Katra. Various Jhankies like traditional Kud by Khem Raj & Party, Itarsi Band, Bharat Mata, Jarian, Bakerwals, Dukandari, Jater and various scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata were the main attraction of the procession. Different scenes of the Jhankies were so tastefully decorated that no one could resist himself to give repeated applause and slogans in praise of goddess Durga.
Among others, District Development Commissioner Reasi, P.K. Pole, Director Tourism, R.K. Verma, Assistant Commissioner Revenue (Nodal Officer Navrata Festival Katra), Sukhdev Singh, Assistant Director Youth Service and Sports, Ashok Kumar, Members of the Navratra festival committee, including Surinder Khajuria, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Sardari lal Dubey, prominent citizens, large number of yatris and local people were present on the occasion.
In All India Devotional Song Competition being organized at Yog Asharm Katra as a part of Navratra Festival, Vivek Mohan of
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister complemented the people on holy Navratra and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state and the nation. He appreciated the tireless and sincere efforts being put forth by the organizers for making the Navratra Festival a grand success. He also lauded the goodwill gesture of the inhabitants of Katra for extending every support to this annual event.
Malik said that the festival, especially the bhaint competition provides an opportunity to the talented youth from with in and out side the state to show their ability on a common platform which further boost them to show their singing capacity at other events of bigger canvas.
Terming the cultural procession being taken out daily during Navratra Festival at Katra, as a real icon of culture and traditions, the Minister said that the event is playing a great role in acquainting to the people in general and pilgrims visiting the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji in particular about the diverse culture of the state.
The Devotional Song Competition were adjudged by the panels of experts in music including Suraj Singh, Prof. Anupama Sharma and Prof. Parveen Sabberwal. Rakesh Wazir, who is also the chairman of the All India Devotional Song Competition compared the programme effectively.
Folk performances spellbind audience at Katra
Scintillating cultural performances presented by the artists of Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (GOI) spellbound large crowd including thousands of pilgrims from within and outside the State during the ongoing Navratra festival- 2010 at
Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik was the chief guest on the occasion.
District Development Commissioner Reasi, P.K. Pole, SSP Reasi, Anand Jain, Director Tourism, R.K. Verma, Assistant Commissioner Revenue (Nodal Officer Navrata Festival Katra), Sukhdev Singh, Addl.SP, Shiv Kumar and members of the Navratra festival committee were present on the occasion.
The artists of the department attired in their traditional costumes presented sparkling folk dance performances of different regions of the country.
Folk dances of different parts of the country which received huge applause from across the audience included Assami dance, Manipuri dance, Oriya dance and Dogri folk dance.
The Navratra festival, fifteenth in series, is being organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra and J&K State Tourism Department in collaboration with District Administration, Reasi and various local organizations of the Katra.
The Minister speaking on the occasion complementing the organizers especially the artists of different states who have presented their superb folk dances in the on going festival in a highly professional manner. He said such events are imperative for showcasing our rich cultural diversity on a common platform. Besides, further help in boosting brotherhood and communal Harmony for the overall peace and prosperity of the state and nation.
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