Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes

Katra (Jammu & Kashmir), September 08, 2014 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board resumed the pilgrimage to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji today via Sanjichhat-Bhairon Temple track and back from the same route. Yatra was temporarily suspended from Katra onwards on 4th of September after 4.00 p.m. due to continual heavy rains over last three days. Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, visited the Track along with officers and Engineers and took stock of the ongoing works of clearing of track, restoration of water and power supply and provisioning of other logistics enroute and at Bhawan area. The movement of the pilgrims is being continuously monitored. CEO said that the track from Sanjichhat to Bhawan via Bhairon Temple is narrow and it involves steep climb, particularly between Bhawan and Bhairon Temple, and considering the fact that ponies can not be allowed beyond Sanjichhat, the pilgrims are advised to start their journey for the pilgrimage via this route only if they are in good state of health and do not have any underlying cardiac or other such ailment.

CEO further informed that efforts are afoot to clear all the tracks leading to the Shrine and to fully restore electricity and water supply to all the establishments and tracks. Further, clearing the debris from the track which has come down from the slopes due to continuous spell of rain over the past few days, was still going on and might take a couple of days to make it worthy of Yatra movement.

CEO said that considering the entire situation, the Shrine Board decided to open the track via Sanjichhat-Bhairon Track only this morning. For ensuring that pilgrims cover the journey during the day time only, in the interest of safety of pilgrims, the Yatra Slip Counter at Katra stopped giving Yatra Slip at 3:40 p.m.

Adhkwari-Bhawan route also re-opened for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra

Updated on September 11, 2014 - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board re-opened Lower Track between Adhkwari and Bhawan for Yatra this morning. With this, all the three Tracks leading to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji have been reopened for the pilgrimage.

Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said that Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji is proceeding smoothly via all the three routes of Sanjichhat-Bhawan, Adhkwari-Bhawan and Sanjichhat-Bhairon Temple track. He said that Yatra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine via Sanjichhat-Bhairon Temple route was resumed by the Shrine Board on 8th of this month, while Sanjichhat-Bhawan Track was thrown open for pilgrims on 9th September 2014, and the Lower Track between Adhkuwari and Bhawan was reopened for Yatra this morning. It may be recalled that keeping in view the safety of pilgrims in the wake of incessant torrential rains, Yatra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine from Katra was temporarily suspended from 4.00 p.m. onwards on 4th of this month.

The Chief Executive Officer informed that water and power supply has been fully restored to all the establishments and tracks. He added that Shrine Board staff and Disaster Management Task Force have been deployed on the Track to ensure smooth and safe movement of pilgrims.