Jammu: After being suspended for 22 days due to landslides and continuous heavy rainfall, the pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple located in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district resumed on Wednesday, bringing joy to the devotees. However, officials reported that this relief was short-lived, as the pilgrimage was suspended again on Wednesday evening due to bad weather, after allowing 2,500 pilgrims during the day.
Officials stated that the pilgrimage had been suspended for 22 days due to devastating landslides. These landslides resulted in 34 fatalities and 20 injuries. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) announced the resumption of the pilgrimage from Wednesday morning, provided favorable weather conditions, which brought smiles to the faces of many devotees camped in Katra city. Katra city serves as the base camp for pilgrims. Hundreds of devotees gathered early in the morning at the starting point of the pilgrimage, the Banganga Darshani Gate, chanting “Jai Mata Di,” and expressed immense joy and relief when the pilgrimage began.
Vaishno Devi pilgrimage suspended again due to bad weather
Shrine Board officials reported that after being temporarily suspended due to bad weather and necessary maintenance of the routes to the temple, the pilgrimage via both routes to the hilltop temple began at 6 a.m. However, as dark clouds gathered over the Trikuta hills and the meteorological department predicted heavy rainfall, the shrine board announced an immediate suspension of the pilgrimage around 5:30 p.m. An official stated that over 2,500 pilgrims participated in the pilgrimage during the day, and many of them had already completed their visit to the shrine. Helicopter services remained suspended, but battery-operated cars continued to operate normally.
Mata Vaishno Devi temple
The Mata Vaishno Devi temple is a highly revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Vaishnavi, located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. According to legend, the goddess meditated in a cave here for nine months to escape a Bhairo Nath, whom she later beheaded. The cave temple, which houses her naturally formed rock idols (Pindis), is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India.
Trikuta hills
The Trikuta hills are a significant mountain range in northern India, most renowned as the sacred location of the Vaishno Devi shrine, one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites. According to legend, the goddess Vaishno Devi meditated in a cave here, and the temple’s history as a place of worship dates back centuries. The hills are considered an embodiment of the Mother Goddess and attract millions of devotees each year.
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India, historically known as a princely state during British rule. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including the Himalayan mountains and Dal Lake, and has a rich cultural heritage blending Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist influences. The area has been a focal point of geopolitical conflict between India and Pakistan since the partition in 1947.
Reasi district
The Reasi district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a historically significant area, known for being the site of the ancient Vaishno Devi shrine. Its history is deeply connected to the pilgrimage routes that have been used for centuries. The region is characterized by its mountainous terrain and holds great religious importance for Hindu devotees.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is the administrative body responsible for managing the renowned Vaishno Devi Temple, a major Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. The board was formally established in 1986 to oversee the facilities, infrastructure, and the smooth operation of the pilgrimage for millions of devotees who visit the cave shrine annually. The temple itself is an ancient site dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi and is believed to fulfill the wishes of its visitors.
Katra city
Katra is a city in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, primarily known as the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine. The city’s history and economy are intrinsically linked to the temple, one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites, which is believed to be centuries old. Today, it serves as a bustling gateway, providing accommodation and services for the millions of devotees who trek to the shrine each year.
Banganga Darshani Gate
The Banganga Darshani Gate is the main entrance to the historic Banganga Tank, a sacred water reservoir in Mumbai, India. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century by a Hindu minister and is associated with the mythological tale of Lord Rama creating a spring with an arrow. The gate itself is an ancient structure that marks the passage into this significant religious and cultural site.
hilltop temple
A hilltop temple is a religious structure built on elevated ground, often for spiritual symbolism or defensive purposes. These temples frequently have ancient origins, serving as places of worship, pilgrimage, or refuge throughout history. Their elevated locations provide commanding views and a sense of connection to the divine.
