Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes after 22 days, Chants of 'Jai Mata Di' galore thronged the Vaishno Devi Yatra

Amidst chants of 'Jai Mata Di' and a throng of devotees, the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra resumed on Wednesday morning. The pilgrimage leads to the famous Vaishno Devi temple perched atop the Trikuta Hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

The pilgrimage was suspended 22 days ago due to a devastating landslide that claimed the lives of 34 people and injured 20. Devotees were enthusiastic after the resumption.

Weather favorable, temple board gives green signal
According to officials, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) decided to resume the pilgrimage as soon as the weather turned favorable. The town of Katra witnessed a heavy footfall since morning. Devotees began gathering at the Banganga Darshan Gate early in the morning, expressing both joy and emotion at the resumption of the pilgrimage.

The temple administration informed that the pilgrimage was permitted from both routes, including the new and old routes, starting at 6 am. Maintenance and repair work was also carried out during the halt to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Happiness among both devotees and local merchants
The resumption of the pilgrimage has brought relief not only to devotees but also to local merchants, hoteliers, and small shopkeepers. Katra's economy depends heavily on this pilgrimage, and the halt in business had severely affected the pilgrimage.

While devotees were excited to visit Mata Rani, locals welcomed the administration's decision and appealed for cooperation from pilgrims.

No laxity in security and monitoring
The Shrine Board has clarified that security and tracking protocols will be strictly enforced during the pilgrimage. All pilgrims are required to carry valid identification. An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-based tracking system will be mandatory. Devotees have been urged to adhere to the designated routes and cooperate fully with ground staff. The Board also expressed gratitude to all devotees who demonstrated restraint and understanding during the suspension of the pilgrimage.

An Atmosphere Filled with Devotion
As chants of "Jai Mata Di" echoed through the hills, the entire area was filled with devotion and faith. Many devotees, who had been waiting for this day for a long time, were also seen becoming emotional.