Vaishno Devi Yatra Resumes After Brief Suspension Amid Heavy Devotee Rush

JAMMU, Mar 22: The pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine resumed on Sunday after being temporarily suspended due to heavy rush, officials said.

The yatra was halted on Saturday as thousands of devotees gathered at the Bhawan, with over 39,000 pilgrims offering prayers till late afternoon, according to officials.

The pilgrimage resumed after conditions eased, with registration restarting in Katra, the base camp for the trek. Authorities said arrangements were strengthened to ensure smooth movement and safety of devotees.

Officials added that nearly one lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine so far, with more devotees continuing to arrive. At least 5,000 more were on their way after completing registration, reflecting the sustained high footfall.

The surge in devotees comes during Chaitra Navratri, which began on March 19 and will continue until March 27. On Saturday alone, more than 39,000 pilgrims visited the shrine.

Hundreds of devotees were seen trekking the uphill route chanting “Jai Mata Di” as they made their way along the Trikuta hills to seek blessings. The shrine has been decorated with flowers and illuminated with colourful lights, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Authorities have deployed multi-layer security arrangements at the Katra base camp and along the pilgrimage route to ensure the safety of devotees.

The sacred Shat Chandi Maha Yagya, marking the start of Navratri celebrations, began on Thursday at the shrine. (Agencies)