Jammu, Sep 29: The pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district is proceeding smoothly, with more than 1.25 lakh devotees having offered prayers during the first week of the ongoing Navratri festival.
Navratri, observed from September 22 to October 1, is dedicated to Goddess Durga and attracts one of the highest footfalls of pilgrims at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.
“The yatra is going on smoothly as pilgrims in large numbers are paying obeisance every day. So far, over 1,25,645 devotees have registered for darshan till Sunday night,” said an official of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).
Chants of devotion and bhajans resonate through Katra, the base camp of the shrine, as pilgrims from across India and abroad arrive to seek the blessings of the deity. The town, the Bhawan temple area, and the twin yatra routes are illuminated with lights and decorated with flowers, reflecting the spiritual fervour and traditional gaiety of the nine-day Shardiya Navratri festival.
The Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth and comfortable yatra. Volunteers have been deployed along the 13-km route to guide pilgrims, manage the rush, and maintain seamless movement. Wireless communication sets have been introduced this year to improve coordination, while a multi-tier security grid involving police, CRPF, paramilitary forces, and quick-response teams (QRTs) is in place.
The pilgrimage had resumed on September 17, following a suspension of 22 days due to a devastating landslide on August 26 caused by torrential rains, which claimed 34 lives and injured 20 others along the yatra track.
Officials expressed satisfaction over the arrangements, assuring devotees of a safe, orderly, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage during the festival.
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