Pakistan pilgrims visit Vaishno Devi
by B.D.Bansal on Apr 08, 2008 05:24 PM
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 (Katra) Katra is seeing colourful Navratara festivities these days and adding to the fervour are pilgrims from Pakistan.
Pakistani devotees at Katra, 52 of them from the Sindh province, have come to Vaishno Devi for the first time to take part in the nine-day festival. And there's a special prayer on their minds.
''We will pray to Mata Vaishno Devi for an end to differences between India and Pakistan and more friendly relations between the two countries so that it's easier for the pilgrims to travel,'' said Brajesh Kumar, a Pakistani pilgrim.
''Our desire to come again is even more now, we have come alone this time, but next time we want to come with our families so that they can also see the festivities here,'' said Vijay Kumar, also a Pakistani pilgrim.
Thousands of devotees are thronging Katra these days to pray at the Vaishno Devi shrine on the Trikuta hills. The rush is at its peak during Navratari but this year; guests from Pakistan have made the occasion somewhat special.
''When these 52 pilgrims go back to their country, they will tell the people there how we celebrate the Navrataras and we hope the ties will be even more friendly between the two countries,'' said Anil Dubey, Member, Navratara Festival Committee, Katra.
Guests from Pakistan have brought more colour to the Navratara festival and clearly such interactions can also be helpful to bring more warmth in the relationship between India and Pakistan.
