Amid multi-tier security cover, the nine-day navratri festivities began Wednesday with hundreds of pilgrims thronging Katra base camp ahead of their foot-bound journey to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Led by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Division Sanjeev Verma, the festivities began at 11 am at Asia Chowk here, followed by a ‘shobha yatra’ and a grand event showcasing the cultural heritage of the state. “The navratri festival has begun here. It has been held annually for the past 25 years, through which we aim to showcase the cultural heritage and tourism of Jammu”, Verma told reporters here.
According to a police officer, security agencies are leaving no stone unturned for the peaceful conduct of the festivities. More than 60 lakh pilgrims have visited the cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district till the end of September this year. Over 80 lakh had paid obeisance at the shrine last year, an official said.