The Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage area by strictly enforcing prohibitions on alcohol consumption. This announcement follows an incident involving social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, known as Orry, and seven others, who were booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a local hotel, contravening regional regulations.
Rakesh Wazir, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra, emphasized the importance of upholding local customs and rules. He highlighted that, in reverence to the pilgrimage site’s sanctity, not only is alcohol strictly prohibited, but even ingredients like garlic and onion are traditionally excluded from food preparation. Wazir stated, “Even if it was consumed inside a hotel room, it goes against our values. As long as one is in Katra, such rules should be respected.”
The incident has prompted the association to urge all hospitality establishments in the region to diligently enforce these prohibitions and ensure that guests are well-informed about local customs and regulations. This reinforcement aims to preserve the spiritual atmosphere of Katra and uphold the sentiments of the devotees visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
