KATRA: The Navratra Festival 2026 concluded in Katra on Monday with a grand Shobha Yatra, cultural performances and devotional music, while eight singers qualified for the finale of the All India Devotional Song Competition held as part of the celebrations.
The concluding procession was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma in the presence of other dignitaries. It featured colourful tableaux and cultural presentations showcasing the region’s heritage, traditions and themes drawn from Hindu mythology.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma highlighted the religious and cultural significance of the festival, saying it reflected the heritage, traditions and spiritual values of Sanatan Dharma. He appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu, Divisional Administration Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the people of Katra in organising the event.
He urged people to extend warmth and hospitality to pilgrims and devotees visiting the town and encouraged families to involve children in religious and cultural activities to preserve the region’s heritage. He also called for collective efforts to make Jammu and Kashmir and the country drug-free.
Meanwhile, eight singers qualified for the grand finale of the All India Devotional Song Competition after 16 contestants competed in the semi-final round on Monday. The finalists are Stanzin, Rajiv Kumar, Aarav Wazir, Mohinder Soni, Vanshika Dogra, Sukhjinder, Lalit Bhardwaj and Aditya.
The competition is being organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department and PTC Network.
The contestants were assessed by a panel comprising Dr Surinder Sharma, head of the Department of Music at Government Degree College, Sanjoli, Himachal Pradesh; C.L. Verma, former chairman of a postgraduate university in Himachal Pradesh; Suraj Singh, head of the Music Department in Jammu and a top-grade All India Radio artist; and Usha Bhagati.
Rakesh Wazir said the competition had emerged as a platform for emerging singers and contributed to tourism promotion during the festival. Singers Anjusha Sharma and Shreya Gandral also performed devotional songs during the programme.
The festival’s concluding celebrations included the finale of the devotional song competition at the Yog Ashram Complex, where participants presented bhajans and devotional songs.
The Navratra Festival was organised through the collaborative efforts of the Directorate of Tourism Jammu, Divisional Administration Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, with the devotional song competition also involving PTC Network. The celebrations aimed to promote Katra’s religious and cultural heritage and reinforce its significance as a pilgrimage and tourism destination.
