Festivities of Shardiya Navratri are being observed throughout the country and are at its peak in the holy town of Katra in the Reasi district of Jammu division where it is celebrated as the Navratri Festival every year. It is for the first time that Karnataka's world-famous 'Yakshagana' theatre specially prepared on the theme of Mata Vaishno Devi was showcased before the audience on the inaugural day on October 15. Yakshagana is a form of dance-drama originating from south India and is closely associated with the state of Karnataka. Elaborate and colorful costumes, makeup, and masks are among the most distinctive features of this art form.<br />''  <br />'' Navaratri holds a great significance among Hindus as during the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga's nine incarnations, each day dedicated to a different Goddess manifestation. They maintain fasts, recite shlokas, wear new clothing, offer bhog and seek the blessing of the Goddess for prosperity and joy. These nine days and nine nights are dedicated to worship and honor the nine forms of Goddess Durga, the Goddess of strength and power, who symbolizes female empowerment and courage. People offer prayers to Goddess Durga, honoring the victory of good over evil, culminating on Dussehra. Today is Ashtami, the eighth Navratra. <br />'' <br />'' On this day devotees are worshiping Maa Mahagauri and perform various rituals, including Kanjak or Kanya Pujan. Immersion of Saakh, the devotees grow at their home, in different rivers and canals across the Jammu region is the last ritual of this nine-day festival. Hawans and Yagya are also solemnized in different temples on the occasion of Durga Ashtami. Thousands of devotees are paying obeisance in different temples of Mata Durga including Bawe wali Mata Jammu, Kol Kandoli, Nagrota, Chichi Mata, Samba, Sukrala Mata, and Mata Bala Sundari in Kathua district. During the first seven days of the Navratri festival, more than 2.47 lakh people visited the Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine atop the Trikuta hills in the Reasi district of Jammu division. <br />'' <br />'' The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has organized various events including Danglam and all-India devotional song competition etc during the nine day festivity. Wrestlers from Iran, Georgia and various Indian states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have participated in the Danglam competition and the final match of the competition will be held today between Mirza from Georgia and Sumit from Delhi. The first prize for the winner is Rs. 3 lakh. The all-India devotional Song competition will be held on Monday to mark the culmination of the festival in which participants from almost all the states of the country are taking part. The first prize for the winner of the competition is Gold worth Rs. 3 lakh and signing of contract with Venus Music Company.