Katra is gearing up for the upcoming Shardiya Navratri with great enthusiasm. The holy town of Mata Vaishno Devi is being decorated with vibrant colors, devotion, and cultural celebrations as preparations for the Navratri festival gain momentum. A large number of devotees and tourists from across the country are expected to visit Katra and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. Amid these preparations, a beautiful example of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb is also emerging. A Muslim family in Katra is cultivating flowers and preparing them for the Navratri celebrations. Their hard work and participation reflect the spirit of communal harmony, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been strengthened across Katra ahead of Navratri. Reasi Police have increased deployment at key locations and strengthened checkpoints and nakas along entry routes. Vehicles and people are being thoroughly checked to ensure the safety of devotees. The Hotel and Restaurant Association has also announced special discounts for visitors who make advance bookings, with the aim of attracting more tourists and giving a boost to the local tourism industry. The Navratri celebrations in Katra are therefore not only about faith and devotion but also about unity, cultural diversity, hospitality, and communal harmony.
