Pilgrims Protest, Attempt March Towards Vaishno Devi Shrine Amid Prolonged Yatra Suspension
Katra/Jammu, Sept 14: Frustration and restlessness among devotees boiled over in Katra on Sunday as the suspension of the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage stretched into its 20th consecutive day. A group of pilgrims, many of whom had travelled long distances, staged a protest at the base camp and attempted to march towards the shrine despite clear directives from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) halting the yatra for safety reasons.
The pilgrimage was first suspended on August 26, just hours before a massive landslide struck the route, killing 34 pilgrims and injuring 20 others. While the shrine board had initially announced a resumption from September 14, incessant rains over the past two days rendered the track and sanctum sanctorum unsafe, prompting authorities to extend the suspension.
Undeterred, a group of pilgrims, including women, gathered at Banganga Darshani Gate, the traditional starting point of the yatra, chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’ slogans and pressing to move ahead. Security forces deployed in large numbers at the gate repeatedly blocked their attempts, and after hours of persuasion, managed to disperse the devotees without incident.
Emotions, however, ran high among the pilgrims. “I have walked barefoot for nearly two months to reach Katra, and my only wish is to bow before Mata Rani. They should at least allow small batches to go forward,” said Rajiv Lodhi, a devotee from Madhya Pradesh. Another pilgrim, Vinod Kumar from Chennai, who had arrived with his family on Friday, said the last-minute suspension had left them disappointed. “We understand safety concerns, but for many of us it is not possible to extend our stay indefinitely,” he remarked.
Rekha, a devotee from Mumbai, broke down in desperation. “We are ready to take the risk. If the yatra is suspended, why keep the online registration open? We cannot return without darshan,” she said. Similarly, Raj Kumar Jha from Bihar insisted, “We have come on the call of the Mata, and we will leave only after completing our pilgrimage.”
Officials reiterated that the suspension was unavoidable given the precarious condition of the track, which continues to face risks of landslides, flash floods, and slippery surfaces due to heavy rainfall. “The safety of pilgrims is our foremost priority. No compromise can be made on this count,” an official from the Shrine Board emphasized.
For now, the administration has urged devotees to remain patient, assuring them that the pilgrimage will resume as soon as the weather stabilizes and the route is declared safe. Yet, with devotees growing increasingly restless and economic activity in Katra town heavily reliant on the pilgrimage, pressure is mounting on authorities to find a workable solution—possibly through regulated, smaller batches once conditions permit.
The Vaishno Devi yatra, one of the most revered pilgrimages in India, typically attracts lakhs of devotees every year, sustaining local livelihoods and contributing significantly to the region’s economy. The prolonged suspension, while deemed necessary for safety, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over both the religious and socio-economic rhythm of Katra.
