What are the popular festivals and events in Katra?

:Katra is mainly characterized by Hindu population and celebrate all their festivals with much vigour though Navratri is a festival which holds special importance. Also the Yatra during this festival is one of the most auspicious one. Here is a detailed description:

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  Navratri
  
  Dedicated to the nine incarnations of GoddessDurga, Navratri is celebrated with much gusto and vigour here. The small town of Katra is decorated like a bride for the nine days of the festival. The enthusiasm and energy goes up with every passing day in this festival in which the locals and tourists participate equally. Emphasising the rich Dograculture the natives are dressed in their traditional attire.
  
  Every evening for nine days a cultural event is organized where singing competitions take place. People from Jammu and Kashmir and neighbouring states come and participate in this competition where they sing devotional song. A prize is given out everyday and the announcement of the mega winner is made on the ninth day. Apart from this the dramas put up by the locals and other traditional music and dance will paint you in the different colors of their culture and tradition.
  
  The place will be crowded at this time but it just adds to the brightness of the event. So come and be the part of this prestigious festival.
  

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  Yatra
  
  Katra is the base camp for the Vaishno Devi Yatra which starts from Banganga and visited by the devotees for this auspicious event. Though the Yatra to the holy shrine is a round the year event, the one during the Navratri is considered to be the most auspicious. It is a 13 km trek from Katra to the sacred temple. You can walk the way up to the hill chanting Jai mata di or take a horse ride when it gets difficult to take another step.
  Grab this opportunity to pay reverence to Mata Vaishno Devi and get blessings for a better life ahead.
  

Katra has a rich culture which is well depicted in their festivals and events. Come here, satisfy your spiritual urge and get soaked in the inner peace that the place offers, despite the hustle and bustle.