More than 32,000 devotees have offered prayers at the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Trikuta Hills since the start of Navratri, officials said on Tuesday.
The pilgrimage, which resumed on September 17 after a 22-day suspension due to a landslide on August 26, is witnessing a daily turnout of nearly 12,000–13,000 pilgrims. The shrine has been beautifully decorated with flowers and lights for the festival, which runs from September 22 to October 1.
To ensure a smooth yatra, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has deployed volunteers along the 13-km trek to guide devotees and regulate the flow of pilgrims. Additional facilities such as drinking water points, medical aid stations, and improved crowd management systems have also been set up to enhance the pilgrimage experience.
This year, the Shrine Board has introduced wireless communication sets to strengthen coordination and response along the route. Security has been intensified with a multi-tier arrangement involving the J&K Police, CRPF, paramilitary forces, and quick-response teams.
Officials said the yatra is proceeding without disruption, with devotees arriving from across the country to seek blessings during the auspicious festival.(KINS)
