Katra/Jammu, Sep 17: The pilgrimage to the sacred Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district resumed on Wednesday after a 22-day pause caused by a deadly landslide and persistent heavy rains. However, the relief was short-lived as the yatra was suspended again in the evening due to bad weather.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) announced the reopening of the pilgrimage this morning, bringing cheer to hundreds of devotees waiting at Katra, the base camp of the yatra. Amid chants of “Jai Mata Di,” enthusiastic pilgrims began their journey from Banganga Darshani Gate at 6 am, taking both routes to the hilltop shrine.
Officials said that more than 2,500 devotees were able to pay obeisance before the shrine board called off the yatra around 5:30 pm after dark clouds enveloped Trikuta hills and the meteorological department warned of heavy rainfall. While helicopter services remained suspended, battery cars operated normally throughout the day.
“The situation will be reviewed later tonight and a decision regarding Thursday’s pilgrimage will be taken accordingly,” an official said.
The shrine board, which has made RFID-based tracking mandatory for pilgrims, thanked devotees for their patience and urged them to carry valid identification, follow designated pathways, and cooperate with on-ground staff. “The resumption of the yatra reaffirms our collective faith and resilience. The board remains committed to upholding the sanctity, safety, and dignity of this revered pilgrimage,” the SMVDSB said.
For many devotees, the brief resumption was a moment of deep faith. “We came from Pune two days ago and were waiting in Katra. It was a difficult wait but we are blessed to have darshan,” said a pilgrim from Maharashtra.
The yatra was initially suspended on August 26, hours before a major landslide on the route killed 34 pilgrims and injured 20 others. With Navratri set to begin from September 22 to October 1, officials expect a large influx of devotees once the weather stabilises.