The pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district resumed on Wednesday, 22 days after a deadly landslide claimed 34 lives and injured 20.
Amid chants of “Jai Mata Di”, hundreds of devotees set out from the Banganga Darshani gate early in the morning. The Shrine Board confirmed that the yatra restarted at 6 a.m. from both routes, with RFID-based tracking and safety advisories in place.
“This resumption reaffirms our faith and resilience. Safety and sanctity remain our priority,” a Shrine Board official said.
Pilgrims, many of whom had been waiting in Katra for days, expressed joy and relief. “It was a difficult wait, but having darshan today feels like a blessing,” said a devotee from Maharashtra.
The yatra is expected to see a surge in footfall ahead of Navratri, beginning September 22.(KINS)
