The pilgrimage to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi has resumed after a temporary suspension caused by an overwhelming surge of devotees during the ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival. Authorities had halted the yatra on Saturday due to heavy crowding at the Bhawan, where over 39,000 pilgrims had offered prayers by late afternoon.
Located atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district, the shrine has been witnessing an exceptional influx of devotees since the beginning of Navratri on March 19. Officials confirmed that registration for the pilgrimage has now resumed at Katra, the base camp for the yatra, with thousands of devotees once again making their way towards the holy cave.
So far, nearly one lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine, and more continue to arrive daily. Long queues were seen at registration centres, while hundreds of devotees chanting “Jai Mata Di” trekked along the winding route to seek blessings. The shrine has been beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and illuminated with colourful lights, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere.
To manage the rush and ensure safety, authorities have implemented multi-layered security and crowd control measures across the route and at key points, including Katra and Bhawan. Officials stated that the temporary suspension was necessary to prevent overcrowding and maintain order.
The resumption of the yatra has brought relief to devotees, as arrangements continue to be closely monitored to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage experience during the festive period.