JAMMU, INDIA, September 23, 2006: Katra is all spruced up and ready for the Navratara festival. Hundreds of pilgrims have already begun making their way to Katra with an average of 30,000 pilgrims coming to Vaishno Devi temple here every day. Hotels in Katra are offering up to 50 per cent discounts during this period. “We want that the customers must get better facilities, better rooms, it’s for the benefit of the customers… that’s why we have given a 50 per cent discount,” said Deepak Sharma. Security is tight and special check-posts have come up along with quick reaction teams. Pilgrims are being thoroughly frisked and 500 additional policemen have been deployed along the yatra’s route. “We have made additional deployment for all the events connected with Navratara and the safety of the pilgrims; we have made all the arrangements for fool proof security,” said M. L. Mehra, SP Katra.
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