Places To Visit in Katra

It would not be an exaggeration if we say that Katra is the Navaratra Capital of India. It is a tradition that is continuing at Katra for the last 100 years. It is the Sharad Navaratra celebrated during the month of September- October that draws the maximum number of pilgrims to this place. The government of J&k has declared the festival as official and uses this occasion to showcase the rich heritage of Dogra art and culture to those outside the state. Tourists or devotees mingle with the local populace to celebrate the occasion with gaiety and fervor.

Katra wears a festive look during the full nine days of Navaratra. Shops and houses are decorated with lights and flowers, arches get erected at different places of the town and the whole town reverberates with the chant of “Jai Mata Di”. Thousands of devotees pour in from across the country to witness the nine-day long Navratra festival along with undertaking a yatra to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Local residents can be seen singing and dancing at every crossing.

If you are at Katra during Navaratras there is a chance to experience the nuances of Dogri culture in full bloom. You can listen to folk or devotional music, participate in dance, watch flower shows and enjoy poney/pithu race. Recently wrestling competitions are also held to give variety to the festivities. The festival kick starts with a traditional procession consisting of school students and cultural troupes. Words cannot do justice to the festive mood