KATRA/JAMMU, Oct 11: The nine-day Sharadiya Navratra commenced at the holy Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district on Sunday, with a heavy rush of devotees thronging the shrine despite inclement weather conditions. Helicopter services remained suspended for the day due to adverse weather.
The shrine reverberated with religious chants as pilgrims arrived in large numbers to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, creating an atmosphere of devotion and spiritual fervour, an official said.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board put special arrangements in place to ensure pilgrims’ safety and smooth movement amid the rush. Devotees expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, particularly the floral decorations at the Bhawan and crowd management.
Pankaj Kumar, a devotee from Bihar, said he had been visiting the shrine on the first day of Navratra for eight consecutive years and found every visit spiritually fulfilling. He appreciated the arrangements, adding that despite the large number of pilgrims, visitors were not facing any major inconvenience.
Puja, a Delhi resident visiting the shrine during Navratra for the first time, described the experience as divine and praised the Shrine Board for involving local artists in decorating the Bhawan. She said such initiatives would help promote local art and provide artists with wider recognition.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, conducted a joint security review in Katra along with the Army and Central Armed Police Forces to assess preparedness for the expected influx of devotees.
The DIG directed officers to maintain high alertness, intensify patrolling, strengthen coordination among security agencies and regulate pilgrim movement.
The Navratra festival will begin at 7:30 pm on Sunday at Yog Ashram Ground in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine, and conclude on October 19.
Cultural programmes accompanied by a multimedia exhibition will be held daily from 8:30 pm at Government Higher Secondary School, Katra. The venue will also host a Hasya Vyang programme and a Kavi Sammelan.
From the second Navaratraa Shobha Yatra featuring 15 illuminated tableaux will leave Asia Chowk daily at 5:30 pm. A wrestling competition is scheduled for October 18 at the Sports Stadium, Katra, while a Mata Ka Jagran will be held at Raghunath Mandir Chowk in Jammu, the official added. (Agencies)