MUMBAI, July 6: Shri Uddhav Thackeray, Chief of Shiv Sena (UBT) and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, today unveiled a booklet and poster titled “Revival of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage Circuit and its Mythical Form” at MatoShree in Mumbai.
Manish Sahni, President Shiv Sena, Jammu, and Kashmir, said that under the guidance of Shri Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, the Party has released a booklet and poster to support the demand for the establishment of the “Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Circuit” by connecting and promoting various temples associated with the pilgrimage through road and rail routes. These materials will be distributed among the devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi to raise awareness.
Sahni said that the Amarnath Yatra is currently ongoing, and devotees from all corners of the country are flocking to Jammu and Kashmir in large numbers. Distributing this booklet among the devotees aims to raise their voices for the revival of the pilgrimage in its mythical form, enabling them to undertake the journey under the guidance of mythological aspects and receive abundant blessings from the Divine Mother, he added.
Sahni emphasized that they are not against development but compromising religious pilgrimages is something they vehemently oppose.
“Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is the third largest pilgrimage site in India. Throughout the year, millions of devotees from across the country undertake this sacred journey to seek the blessings of the Divine Mother,” he said.
Sahni said the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage follows a path of ancient mythology and beliefs. It starts with the first darshan at Kol Kandoli in Nagrota, followed by the second darshan at Deva Mai in Nomai Village, then the Darshani Darwaza at Katra, Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Ardhkuwari, Garbh Joon, and finally the complete Darshan at the Holy Cave of Mata Vaishno Devi, followed by the Darshan of Bhairon Baba.
Sahni said that this pilgrimage not only provides devotees with the complete blessings of the Divine Mother but also contributes to the livelihoods of various individuals associated with the pilgrimage, such as small and large shopkeepers, hoteliers, taxi drivers, and others involved in religious tourism.
However, since 2014, the nature of the pilgrimage has undergone continuous changes, primarily due to the development of railway and road infrastructure. In the pursuit of development, our religious faith has been compromised, and religious sites have been transformed into picnic spots, causing deep wounds to the sentiments of countless believers and distorting the mythical form of the pilgrimage, he added. On this occasion party Rajya Sabha Sansad Sanjay Raut, national organizer Ashok Tiwari, and Vinod Singh were present.