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Over 30,000 Pilgrims Embark on Vaishno Devi Yatra as Navratri Rush Peaks

A massive rush of pilgrims descended upon the base camp in Katra for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as the Chaitra Navratri festival gains momentum, with over 30,000 devotees proceeding onward. Authorities have implemented strict crowd control measures to ensure the yatra progresses smoothly and safely despite the overwhelming influx. Registration was briefly suspended due to the surge but has since resumed, with the pilgrimage continuing uninterrupted through the night. Officials report nearly one lakh devotees have visited the sacred cave since Navratri began, highlighting the intense spiritual fervor of the period.

Key Points: Navratri Rush: 30,000 Pilgrims Head to Vaishno Devi Shrine

  • Over 30,000 pilgrims departed for shrine
  • Surge due to Chaitra Navratri festival
  • Yatra progressing in orderly manner
  • Nearly 1 lakh devotees visited since Navratri began
2 min read

Navratri festival: Over 30,000 pilgrims proceed to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

Massive influx of over 30,000 pilgrims at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during Chaitra Navratri. Authorities manage crowd for orderly yatra.

"a massive rush of devotees is being witnessed at Katra - SMVDSB Office"

Jammu, March 22

A huge rush of pilgrims reached the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine base camp, Katra, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Sunday, and they are now proceeding towards the shrine as the Navratri festival picks up momentum.

Office of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said on Sunday that a massive rush of devotees is being witnessed at Katra, the base camp of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, as over 30,000 pilgrims have departed for their onward journey to the holy cave.

The surge in footfall comes in the wake of the ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival, hence drawing thousands of devotees from across the country to seek the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi.

Despite the heavy inflow, the yatra is progressing in an orderly manner. The authorities are maintaining strict control over the crowd and are ensuring that all essential facilities are available for the pilgrims.

Devotees are praising the overall arrangements of the area, noting that the signboards and informative displays across the area have relatively improved.

Earlier, registration for the yatra resumed at 4 a.m. on Sunday following a temporary suspension on Saturday evening. The registration process was halted nearly four hours ahead of its scheduled 10 p.m. closure due to the overwhelming influx of devotees at Katra.

Despite this brief suspension, the pilgrimage itself continued smoothly throughout the night.

Officials reported that nearly 1 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the sacred cave shrine since the commencement of Navratri, reflecting a period of intense spiritual fervour.

To manage the high volume, authorities have implemented robust crowd control measures and necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and orderly experience for all pilgrims.

The shrine situated at the top of the Trikuta Hills witnesses over 1 crore pilgrims each year, and the SMVDSB has been efficiently managing the affairs of the shrine under the supervision and guidance of Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, who heads the shrine board.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the spiritual enthusiasm is great, 30,000 in a day is a massive number. I hope the authorities are genuinely prepared for crowd management and sanitation. We've seen stampedes at other pilgrimages. Safety must be the top priority, not just numbers.
A
Aman W
My parents are there right now! They called and said the queues are long but moving, and the volunteers are very helpful. It's reassuring to read that the yatra is orderly. Mata Rani bless everyone. The faith of our people is our greatest strength.
S
Sarah B
Visiting Vaishno Devi was a profound experience for me as a foreigner. The scale of devotion during festivals like this is awe-inspiring. The article mentions improved signboards—that's very important for everyone. Wishing all pilgrims a safe and blessed journey.
V
Vikram M
Over 1 crore pilgrims a year! That's a huge logistical challenge. Kudos to the SMVDSB for managing it. The temporary suspension of registration shows they are being responsible. Chaitra Navratri is a special time, hope the weather remains pleasant for the devotees.
N
Nisha Z
It's heartwarming but also a bit worrying. I appreciate the authorities' efforts, but I sincerely hope there is enough medical aid and drinking water available along the entire route, especially for elderly pilgrims. The spirit is strong, but the body needs care too.

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