Vaishno Devi Bhawan beautifully decorated with exquisite flowers as Navratras commence today

KATRA : As always, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district, have been decorated with high breed flowers as the nine-day-long festival of Navratras will begin with much fanfare in the Union Territory tomorrow, amid tight security arrangements. All arrangements have been made in view of COVID-19 keeping in view the SOPs and time to time guidelines issued by the government.
This year also fresh flowers of high breed have been used to decorate Bhawan, reports said adding these flowers remain fresh for many days and have wonderful fragrance.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the large number of pilgrims who are likely to visit the Holy Cave Shrine during Navratras. These arrangements include ensuring round the clock water and power supply all along the tracks leading to the Shrine, sanitation and sanitisation, medicare and availability of special “fast related” food at the catering outlets of the Shrine Board.
In this context, Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, today visited Bhawan and various other locations on the track and reviewed these arrangements. He also took stock of the arrangements at Darshani Deodi, Banganga, Adhkuwari, Tarakote Marg, Sanjichhat, Himkoti Marg, Bhawan and at other locations enroute Katra to Bhawan with the officers of the Board, concerned engineers as well as Area and Unit Heads of the Shrine Board.
Giving details of these arrangements, the CEO said that like in the past, the Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Atka and the area surrounding it has been beautifully decorated with exquisite flowers. Likewise, the illumination of Bhawan area with attractive and colourful lights has also been done. He added that as was done in the last year’s Shardiya Navratras, there will be Bhajan and Bhaint performances by the renowned artistes during Morning and Evening Atka Aarti during these Navratras also.
Meanwhile, the ‘Mata Vaishno Devi Mobile App’ launched by the Shrine Board is gaining popularity among the devotees. In the first instance, the Mobile App has been launched on Google Play Store and will later also be available on IOS platform. Initially, the option of Today’s Darshan, Live Atka Aarti, Yatra Registration Parchi, Pooja Prasad and Donations have been introduced. During these Navratras, the live streaming of Shat Chandi Maha Yagya being performed at the Holy Shrine will also be available on this App.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police have enhanced security blanket across the region, especially in Jammu district and Katra town of Reasi district.
In view of COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Navratra Festival could not be organised, but the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has increased the daily cap on pilgrims up to 7000.
Security has been beefed up at several vital points,’ a Senior Police Officers said.
He said the foolproof security arrangements are significantly heightened at the Jammu airport, railway stations, bus stands and other vital installations across the region.
Local police have been asked to remain extra vigilant and Para-military forces have also been deployed in several parts of the city for quick response, in case an emergency situation arises.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh also reviewed the security arrangements in detail with his subordinates, ahead of Navratras.
He directed them to ensure that comprehensive deployment is made to maintain law & order and communal harmony and a close watch be kept over the activities of anti-national, anti-social and other such elements.
It was also impressed upon the participants to ensure that nakas deployed around Katra Town are fully strengthened, to ensure effective checking and frisking round the clock.
The District SSPs concerned were directed to dominate the outer periphery of Katra Town in Trikuta Hills, adjoining the Bhawan area, by way of regular patrolling.
Paramilitary and Police personnel are patrolling and frisking people at important points in Jammu city, which is thronged by thousands of devotees every year, especially during Navratras.