Katra: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Sunday inaugurated the Navratra Festival 2026 at Yog Ashram Ground in Katra, marking the beginning of nine days of religious and cultural activities scheduled to continue until October 19.
The festival is being organised by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu in collaboration with the Divisional Administration Jammu and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to promote the region’s cultural heritage and religious tourism.
Addressing the inaugural gathering, Dulloo highlighted tourism’s potential to generate employment and support local economic growth. He stressed the need to improve infrastructure, cleanliness, traffic management and facilities for pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
He also called for greater opportunities for local youth, women’s self-help groups, artisans and entrepreneurs, while emphasising the need to preserve the sanctity and natural environment of pilgrimage destinations.
The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional lighting of a ceremonial lamp and featured performances by winners of the previous year’s Navratra Festival competitions.
The nine-day programme includes a Shobha Yatra, Prabhat Pheris, an All India Devotional Song Competition, cultural performances, Bhagwat Katha, wrestling competitions and a Kavi Sammelan.
Reasi Deputy Commissioner Kumar Abhishek highlighted the festival’s cultural and spiritual significance and said the district administration would focus on coordination among departments and facilities for pilgrims and tourists.
Reasi MLA Kuldeep Raj Dubey and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency MLA Baldev Raj Sharma also extended greetings and highlighted the festival’s role in promoting the region’s cultural traditions and tourism potential.
The festival is expected to draw pilgrims and visitors to Katra during Navratra, supporting local businesses, including hotels, transport operators, traders and artisans.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Vikas Kundal, Senior Superintendent of Police Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta and other officials attended the inauguration.
