Kashmir I Katra, March 30, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha visited the revered Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, on Saturday, March 28, to offer prayers and seek blessings. The visit coincided with the onset of Chaitra Navratri, a significant Hindu festival, which has drawn large crowds of devotees to prominent temples across India, including the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit to the iconic Lord Jagannath Temple, he participated in traditional rituals, joining thousands of pilgrims who throng the shrine annually. The temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and holds immense spiritual importance. Sinha’s visit underscores the cultural and religious ties between regions, as he sought divine blessings amid his responsibilities overseeing Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, as Chaitra Navratri commenced, the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra witnessed a massive influx of devotees. Located in the Trikuta Hills, the shrine is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India, attracting over 10 million worshippers each year. The nine-day festival, which celebrates the divine feminine energy of Goddess Durga, has amplified the spiritual fervour in Katra, with pilgrims undertaking the arduous trek to pay homage to Mata Vaishno Devi.
Local authorities in Katra have made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the surge of visitors during Navratri, ensuring smooth darshan and safety for all. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board , chaired by Lieutenant Governor Sinha, has been instrumental in facilitating pilgrim services, a role that ties his Puri visit to the ongoing festivities in Katra.
The convergence of these events highlights the vibrancy of India’s religious landscape during Chaitra Navratri. While Sinha’s visit to Puri reflects a personal devotion and a symbolic gesture of unity, the swelling crowds at Mata Vaishno Devi Temple signify the enduring faith of millions in the divine.
As the festival progresses, both Puri and Kat Калтра will remain focal points of spiritual activity, drawing devotees from across the country to offer their prayers and celebrate the auspicious occasion.