Mata Vaishno Devi, the annual nine-day long Navratra festival

Navratra festival to begin in Katra from October 8.

With final touches being given to beautification of Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi, the annual nine-day long Navratra festival is set to commence from October 8. 

The Navratra festival this year will start in Katra town from October 8 as it coincides with the commencement of Navratras, Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Mandeep K Bhandari said. 

He said that final touches are being given for the preparation and beautification of the town. "Entire Bhavan complex, roads and other buildings would be illuminated during the Navratras", he said. Several functions have been scheduled to mark the occasion in the Katra town which will showcase cultural processions, folk dance, folk music, traditional tableaux, fancy dress competitions, band display, Hasya vyang goshty, heritage walk, environmental awareness programmes, wrestling championship, adventure sports. During first nine months of this year, over 65.87 lakh pilgrims have visited the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi. During the same period last year, 64.32 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine. Over 84 lakh pilgrims had visited the cave shrine during last year.

The temple is near the town of Katra, in the Reasi district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most revered places of worship in Northern India. The shrine is at an altitude of 5200 feet and a distance of approximately 13.5 kilometres (8.38851 miles) from Katra. Approximately 8 million pilgrims (yatris) visit the temple every year and it is the second most visited religious shrine in India, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintains the shrine. A rail link from Udhampur to Katra is being built to facilitate pilgrimage. The nearest airport is Jammu Airport which has very high flight frequency. All leading domestic airlines have their services to Jammu Airport.

Maa Vaishno Devi was born in the South of India in the home of Ratnakar Sagar. Her worldly parents had remained childless for a long time. Ratnakar had promised, the night before the birth of the Divine child, that he would not interfere with whatever his child desired. Ma Vaishno Devi was called Trikuta as a child. Later She was called Vaishnavi because of Her taking birth from Lord Vishnu's lineage. When Trikuta was 9 years old, She sought her father's permission for doing penance on the seashore. Trikuta prayed to Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama. During Shree Rama's search for Sita, He reached the seashore along with His army. His eyes fell on this Divine Girl in deep meditation. Trikuta told Shree Rama that She had accepted Him as Her husband. Shree Rama told Her that during this Incarnation He had vowed to be faithful to only Sita. However pleased with her devotion , Lord Rama gave her name vaishnavi (devotee of lord rama (Maha Vishnu)and assured Her that in Kaliyuga He would manifest as Kalki and would marry Her.

In the meantime Shree Rama asked Trikuta to meditate in the cave found in the Trikuta Range of Manik Mountains, situated in Northern India.

Lord Ram gave her a bow and arrows, army of monkeys and a lion for her protection, Ma decided to observe the 'Navratra' for the Victory of Shree Rama against Ravana. 

Hence one reads the Ramayana during the 9 days of Navratra, in remembrance of the above connection. Shree Rama promised that the whole world would sing Ma Vaishno Devi's praise. Lord Rama also said Trikuta was to become famous as Vaishno Devi and would become immortal forever.The adobe of Maa Vaishno devi is attaining huge pilgrimage attraction due to Lord Rama's blessings to the goddess.