Pilgrims at Banganga Darshani Gate as yatra resumed briefly before suspension
KATRA, Sept 17: The Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, which resumed early this morning after a 22-day suspension, was again halted this evening after weather conditions deteriorated. Shrine authorities suspended the yatra at 5 pm to avoid any untoward incident as rains and inclement conditions set in across the region.
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Thousands Proceeded Before Suspension
Shrine officials said 2,580 pilgrims had commenced the trek to the hilltop shrine since the restart at 6 am. The shrine board had permitted the yatra from the base camp at Katra subject to favourable weather and safety checks following a devastating landslide that claimed 34 lives and injured 20 others.
Safety First — Shrine Board Guidance
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) urged devotees to follow safety protocols, carry valid identification, and cooperate with on-ground staff. The board reiterated that RFID-based tracking remains mandatory for all pilgrims to ensure transparency and traceability during the pilgrimage.
Devotees React
Hundreds of devotees who had gathered at Banganga Darshani Gate in the early hours expressed relief and joy at the brief resumption. Shrine officials said the pilgrimage had been restarted after track maintenance and assessment of weather conditions permitted limited movement.
Outlook Ahead of Navratri
Authorities warned pilgrims to monitor official channels for updates. With Navratri commencing on Sept 22, the shrine is expected to see large crowds in the coming days; officials stressed that resumption and further movement would depend on continuing favourable weather and safety assessments.
Source: Daily Excelsior
Labels: Katra, Vaishno Devi, Pilgrimage, Weather
Tags: #VaishnoDevi #Yatra #Katra #SMVDSB #Navratri
Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten summary based on reporting by Daily Excelsior. Jammu News Portal does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of external content.
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