Manokamana Yatra to be biggest attraction of Navratras
Minister of State for Tourism, Education, Technical Education, Culture, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi said that J&K intends to celebrate remaining 2017 as Year of Adventure Tourism to attract people from all over the world and make our State blink on international tourism map. Summers witnessed mixed response from tourists and now adventure sports like white water rafting, skiing, snow skating, mountain climbing, stay in tree house, snowboarding and trekking will all be encouraged to attract more tourists.
She said that biggest attraction during coming Navratras in Jammu is going to be ‘Manokamana Yatra’ which will be first of its kind and stake holders from Kathua, Bani, Basohli, Rajousi, Udhampur and even Poonch will be taken onboard for purpose. This Yatra, she added will not only attract religious tourists but general public both domestic as well as foreigners will be able to associate themselves with faith, participate in it and offer their prayers.
She was speaking during a meeting with various representatives of tourism associations regarding promotion of tourism destinations in Jammu. Commissioner Secretary Tourism, M H Malik and Director Tourism, Smita Sethi were also present in the meeting. Jammu, she added in months to come is going to be an independent tourism destination for which people will have to spend some time here to see all destinations and enjoy facilities including adventure tourism in river rafting at Reasi.
Giving details of Manokamana Yatra, Priya Sethi said to boost tourism sector in Jammu and to make it an independent tourist destination, it is going to be biggest attraction this Navrataras. Manokamna Yatra will encourage growth of spiritual, religious and pilgrimage tourism in Jammu during Navratras, she asserted saying that hoteliers of Jammu, Udhampur and Katra will have to play a bigger role in it.
Very soon the tourism department will develop a comprehensive package in this regard which once put in public domain promote tourism by prolonging stay of tourists. Manokamna Yatra package in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board in Jammu will make people travel on Jammu-Kol Kandoli – Deva Mai- Charan Paduka – Adhkwari-Bhawan on Day one and on Day two they will go and see Bhawan – Bhairo Ghati – Katra-Nau Pindi-Sihard Baba-Rafting at Dera Baba Banda Bahadur-Bawe Wali Mata-Mahamaya Temple. On day three tourists will be taken to Jammu-Surinsar-Mansar-Chichi Mata-Jammu-Suchetgarh and the fourth day will conclude with their visit to Jammu-Akhnoor-Jammu Darshan which will include visit to Bagh-e-Bahu and Suchetgarh border.
The minister said that the government is committed to bring the city of temples on the tourism map of the country and all necessary steps needed for the same would be taken in a time bound manner. She directed the Tourism Department to prioritize and fast track the projects which have been undertaken so as to provide an excellent experience to the visiting tourists.
She impressed upon the department to prepare and install hoardings depicting information about tourist destinations in and around Jammu city, adding that tourist should know that how far are the tourism places from the city. Priya Sethi said, “Tourism industry is back bone of the state and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has taken personal interest by touring border areas as well as major tourist destinations of Jammu to ensure that tourism in the province gets a boost,” she added.
Priya stressed upon the officers of the Department to speed up the pace of infrastructure projects and also ensure that all the projects which are nearing completion should be finished on priority so that improved infrastructure could be handed over for utilization by the tourists. She also stressed the need to dispel any negative perception about the situation in state and help increase tourist footfall from across the globe.
Among others who were present on the occasion includes Secretary Golf Course, senior officers and officials of the Department and representatives of the various Associations related to tourism sector. Ms. Priya Sethi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism welcomed the participants and listen to their concern and suggestions for the improvement of tourism sector in Jammu with patience.
