Keeping in view the heavy rush of devotees during the ongoing Navratri, authorities on Saturday evening temporarily suspended the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra.
According to reports, nearly 41,000 pilgrims had offered prayers till Saturday afternoon, while a large number of devotees had already arrived at Katra, the base camp of the shrine.
The rush has surged due to the ongoing Chaitra Navratri, which began on March 19 and will conclude on March 27. The Shrine Board is expecting a heavy inflow of devotees from across the country during this period.
"The yatra has been temporarily suspended due to heavy rush at Bhawan," a shrine board official said. He added that announcements regarding the suspension were made through police vehicles, and fresh registration will resume at 4 a.m. on Sunday.
"Pilgrims are requested to return to their hotels, as the yatra has been suspended," the announcement said.
Officials stated that nearly 41,000 pilgrims visited the holy town of Katra on Saturday and offered prayers at the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. Due to the heavy rush, the yatra was suspended at around 4 p.m., they said.
Approximately 41,000 pilgrims had registered and proceeded towards Bhawan, while an additional 8,000 to 10,000 pilgrims remained at the base camp in Katra, awaiting registration.
The Shrine Board made frequent announcements through its information centres, informing pilgrims that registration had been temporarily suspended due to increasing crowd pressure at the Bhawan complex and along the pilgrimage route.
Despite the rush, the enthusiasm of devotees remained undiminished, with chants of "Jai Mata Di" echoing throughout the area. The weather on Saturday remained relatively pleasant, with intermittent sunshine and cloud cover. Pilgrims, dressed in warm clothing, were seen travelling with their families amid a cool breeze.
The weekend further contributed to a surge in the number of devotees. Long queues were witnessed from the Katra base camp to Darshani Gate, Ardhkuwari Marg, and the Bhawan complex. At several points, devotees had to wait for hours, but their faith kept their spirits high.
Tight Security Arrangements
In view of the large gathering, elaborate security arrangements were put in place. Personnel from the police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other security agencies were deployed across all key locations. Strict vigil was maintained from Darshani Gate to the Bhawan complex.
Additionally, disaster management teams and the Shrine Board's Seva Mitras remained actively engaged in assisting pilgrims throughout the route.
Facilities Remain Operational
For the convenience of devotees, helicopter services remained operational for most of the day. Other facilities, including battery cars, ponies, porters, and palanquins, were also available, providing relief especially to elderly pilgrims and those travelling with children.
The Shrine Board, district administration, and police authorities are continuously monitoring the situation. Officials are conducting periodic reviews to ensure that pilgrims do not face inconvenience.
On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, the entire atmosphere of the shrine is filled with devotion, enthusiasm, and reverence.
Over 1.2 Lakh Devotees Visit in Three Days
More than 1.2 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the shrine in the first three days of Chaitra Navratri. The steady influx of pilgrims from across the country has brought increased activity to Katra and its surrounding areas.
The surge in footfall has also boosted local markets, with devotees purchasing offerings, prayer material, and souvenirs, bringing cheer to local traders.
