JK News Today
KATRA, October 13: The second day of the ninth year of the Prabhat Pheri organised as part of the Navratra Festival Katra 2026 witnessed tremendous enthusiasm and religious fervour as devotees, local residents, pilgrims and school students participated in the devotional procession. The Prabhat Pheri was flagged off by the Chief Guest Ms Neha Jalali IIS Director Central Bureau of Communication while Sh. Vikram Uppal and Vijay Matoo field officers graced the occasion as Guests of Honour in presence of Dr Gopal Dutt retired medical suprentendent .
The main attraction of the day’s Prabhat Pheri were a Kanjaks depicting Maa Chandraghanta,Maa Shail putri and Brahmcharni who accompanied the procession throughout its route and blessed the people participating in the event. The spiritual atmosphere was further enriched by vibrant cultural performances presented by renowned groups from Jammu and Kashmir along with devotees of Maa Vaishno Devi. Another prominent Jhanki featured characters representing sudhama and lord Krishan adding to the religious splendour and grandeur of the procession.
The Prabhat Pheri commenced from the Bus Stand, Katra proceeded towards Chintamani Mandir via Banganga Road and Darshani Deodi passed through the Main Bazaar Katra and finally culminated at the Bus Stand. The procession received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from local residents and pilgrims many of whom joined the celebrations along the route. The streets of Katra resonated with devotional bhajans, kirtans and the Jai Karas of Maa Vaishno Devi as Gouri Shankar and Party enthralled the gathering with their soulful performances. The devotional music inspired locals and pilgrims alike to dance and celebrate the spirit of Navratras with immense devotion and joy.
School students participated with remarkable enthusiasm, dancing to devotional tunes and chanting Jai Karas of Maa Vaishno Devi throughout the procession. Their active participation reflected the deep religious and cultural connection of the younger generation with the traditions of Katra and the annual Navratra celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion Sh. Raj Kumar Padha president of the Jammu and Kashmir Association of Prabhat Pheri said that the Prabhat Pheri had become an important attraction of the Navratra Festival Katra bringing together devotees, artists, students and visitors in a spirit of devotion, cultural harmony and collective celebration. He informed that artists from Nav Usha NGO, Chinar Art Foundation, and Bishwanath and Party would join the Prabhat Pheri tomorrow. He appealed to the local residents, shopkeepers, pilgrims and all devotees to participate in large numbers and make the upcoming Prabhat Pheri a grand success.
Among those present on the occasion were Ajay Sharma, Ramnik Sharma,Neelam Singh,Rattan Sharma, Manoj Sadhotra, Ashwini Katoch, Shamsher Singh,Vishal Pandit,Sanjay Kesar,Tilk Raj,Atul Sharma, Rajesh Gupta, Rattan Chand,Baburam Sharma,Renueji Dhar,Prashant Ambastha, Sanjay Tickoo, P.C. Raina and Rohit .
