The Vaishno Devi Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir will restart on September 14 after being suspended for 19 days due to landslides and heavy rainfall. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board confirmed the decision, advising devotees to carry ID, follow guidelines, and use RFID tracking. Safety measures remain the top priority.
Representational Image. File Pic
After extremely intense spells of rain in Jammu and Kashmir, the Vaishno Devi Yatra is finally set to be resumed. The pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir will resume on Sunday after remaining suspended for 19 days, officials said.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB), while posting on the social media platform X, stated that “Jai Mata Di! The Vaishno Devi Yatra will resume from September 14 (Sunday), subject to favourable weather conditions. For details and bookings, please visit www.maavaishnodevi.org.”
The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board further stated that the temporary suspension was necessitated due to inclement weather conditions and essential maintenance of the track leading to the shrine. The Yatra will resume as scheduled, provided weather conditions remain favourable.
Earlier, the sacred Vaishno Devi yatra was suspended following a landslide and intense spells of rain on August 26. The extreme weather conditions and multiple landslides around the district claimed 34 lives and left 20 others injured, reported PTI.
The spokesperson of the SMVDB advised pilgrims to carry valid identification, follow designated pathways, and cooperate with on-ground staff.
The spokesperson of the Vaishnodevi Shrine Board asserted that "RFID-based tracking will remain mandatory for transparency and traceability. For live updates, booking services, and helpline support, devotees are encouraged to visit the Shrine Board's official website: www.maavaishnodevi.org," as cited by news agency PTI.
The Shrine Board further expressed its gratitude to all devotees for their patience and understanding during the suspension period.
Moreover, the board’s spokesperson added that, “The resumption of the Yatra marks a reaffirmation of our collective faith and resilience. The Board remains committed to upholding the sanctity, safety, and dignity of this revered pilgrimage,” as per news agency PTI.
The yatra suspension was the longest since the COVID-19 restrictions, with authorities prioritising pilgrim safety and completing restoration work on the damaged track and commercial structures in Katra.
The cloudburst-induced landslide took place at Adhkuwari in the Trikuta Hills of the Katra belt. The Yatra was suspended the same day after huge infrastructural loss along with human loss was reported in the area.
(With inputs from PTI)
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