Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Resumes in Jammu Kashmir | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir resumed on Sunday after a temporary suspension due to heavy rush at the Bhawan, officials said.

“The yatra has been resumed after temporary suspension due to a heavy rush at the Bhawan,” a shrine board official said, adding that registration of pilgrims also restarted in Katra on Sunday morning.

The pilgrimage was halted on Saturday after over 39,000 devotees paid obeisance at the cave shrine till the afternoon, leading to congestion in the area.

Officials said nearly one lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine so far during the ongoing Chaitra Navratri, which began on March 19 and will conclude on March 27.

Despite the brief suspension, a large number of devotees continued to arrive in Katra, with more than 5,000 pilgrims reported to be on their way to the shrine following registration. Heavy footfall was also witnessed at registration centres.

Pilgrims chanting “Jai Mata Di” were seen trekking along the route to the shrine atop the Trikuta hills, which has been decorated with flowers and illuminated with multi-coloured lights for the festival.

Authorities have put in place multi-layered security arrangements at the base camp and along the route to ensure the safety of devotees.

Meanwhile, the Shat Chandi Maha Yagya commenced at the shrine earlier this week, marking the beginning of the Navratri festivities.