Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage resumes, special arrangements for devotees’ convenience
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): There is good news for the devotees going to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has informed through its official social media platform 'X' that the pilgrimage has started again from Thursday. The decision to resume the pilgrimage has been taken after the weather improves. At the same time, special attention has been given to the safety and convenience of the devotees. Posting on the social media platform 'X', the board wrote, “Jai Mata Di. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has started again today.”
The pilgrimage registration counters for Mata Vaishno Devi reopened at 4 a.m. Thursday after the Shrine Board closed them due to bad weather. The pilgrimage, which was scheduled to begin on September 14 was postponed due to continuous heavy rains, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced on its official social media platforms.
The Shrine Board took this decision keeping in mind the safety of pilgrims at the Bhawan and the Yatra route. Posting on the social media platform 'X', the Board wrote, "Jai Mata Di. Due to continuous rain at the Bhawan and the Yatra route, the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, scheduled to commence on September 14 (Sunday), has been postponed until further notice. Devotees are requested to wait for further official orders."
On September 12, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board through its official social media account had announced the resumption of the pilgrimage from September 14. However, the pilgrimage could not commence due to bad weather.
It should be noted that on August 26th, during extremely bad weather in the Jammu division, a landslide on the Mata Vaishno Devi temple route killed more than 35 pilgrims and injured more than 10 others. The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine was suspended as a result. Following the recent landslide in Katra, the administration had ordered the evacuation of hotels and dharamshalas.
Following the landslide, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board was criticized with even Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary blaming the board officials managing the affairs of the pilgrimage. Three days later, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the landslide near Ardhkumwari on the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine route.