Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes after 7-day suspension; thousands of devotees return to holy shrine
New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) The annual pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi resumed on Saturday after remaining suspended for seven consecutive days, bringing relief and joy to thousands of devotees who had been waiting in Katra for the yatra to reopen.
The resumption of the pilgrimage witnessed a massive influx of pilgrims, with more than 10,000 devotees gathering at Counter No. 2 to obtain their mandatory RFID cards before beginning the trek to the revered shrine. Long queues were seen from the early hours of the morning as devotees patiently waited for their turn.
Despite the heavy rush, personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) managed the crowds and ensured that the registration process and movement of pilgrims remained smooth and orderly.
Light rain continued to fall across Katra throughout the day, creating pleasant weather conditions. Security personnel remained deployed despite the rain, assisting devotees and maintaining law and order as chants of “Jai Mata Di” echoed through the town.
Many pilgrims expressed happiness after finally receiving an opportunity to undertake the sacred journey following days of uncertainty.
One devotee from Haryana said, “We have come from Rohtak, Haryana. We waited here for 15 days, and today we finally had the opportunity to have Mata Rani’s darshan. We are extremely happy…”
Another pilgrim described the experience as unforgettable, saying, “This will be the most memorable trip of my life. I have visited Mata Rani’s shrine 15 times before, but this visit will remain the most unforgettable. There are no words to describe my happiness…”
A third devotee, who had been waiting in Katra for several days, said, “There is a huge rush here. I arrived here on the 21st, and my return journey is scheduled for the 26th. By Mata Rani’s blessings, I am now finally able to have her darshan. I never thought the pilgrimage would actually resume…”
The reopening of the pilgrimage has brought renewed enthusiasm among devotees who had remained stranded in Katra during the suspension. With thousands now proceeding towards the shrine, authorities have maintained heightened security and crowd management measures to facilitate a safe and orderly pilgrimage.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations, attracting millions of devotees every year. The resumption of the yatra after a week-long suspension has restored normal movement of pilgrims, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage in the coming days.
–IANS
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