Navratri in Jammu and Kashmir

Navratri in Jammu and Kashmir is primarily a nine-day Hindu religious observance dedicated to the feminine divine, known as 'Naraate' in the local Dogri language. While celebrated across the state, the most significant public events center around the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, where the J&K Tourism Department organizes an annual Navratri Festival. This celebration combines traditional Dogra rituals like 'Khetri' (sowing barley) and 'Kanjak Pujan' (worshipping young girls) with a large-scale pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi and cultural programs. Pilgrims and devotees seeking blessings at the revered Shakti shrines, particularly Mata Vaishno Devi, will find this festival especially meaningful. The festival draws millions to the Vaishno Devi shrine and offers a unique blend of deep devotion, local customs, and organized cultural events for those interested in religious pilgrimage and regional traditions.