The sacred pilgrimage to the revered cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi has been temporarily halted due to adverse weather conditions, marking the season's inaugural snowfall in the majestic Trikuta Hills of Reasi district. This suspension comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of devotees amidst challenging environmental circumstances.
Weather Conditions Force Yatra Suspension
Authorities have confirmed that incessant rainfall in the plains and subsequent snowfall along the pilgrimage route to the shrine necessitated the suspension of the yatra from Katra's base camp. The base camp itself experienced heavy rainfall, while the higher elevations, including the Vaishno Devi Hills, witnessed fresh snowfall, creating hazardous conditions for pilgrims.
Official Statements and Safety Measures
Officials emphasized that safety concerns were paramount in their decision to suspend the pilgrimage. The yatra was suspended from the Katra base camp earlier this morning, and no fresh batch of pilgrims was allowed to proceed. Devotees have been called back from various camps, and even those who departed after a night halt at Bhawan were stopped midway to prevent any potential accidents.
Similarly, helicopter services to Bhawan have been suspended for the second consecutive day due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions. Both foot pilgrimage and helicopter services will only resume when weather conditions improve sufficiently to ensure safe travel.
Transformation into a Winter Wonderland
Despite the disruption to pilgrimage activities, the snowfall has transformed the shrine area into a breathtaking winter landscape. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board shared captivating visuals of the snowfall on social media, accompanied by the caption, "Jai Mata Di…!!! Season’s first snowfall at Vaishno Devi Bhawan."
The Bhawan and Bhairav Temple, now blanketed in pristine snow, offer devotees a serene and spiritually uplifting visual experience, though physical access remains restricted until conditions improve.
Impact on Pilgrim Influx
The suspension comes at a time when pilgrim influx was particularly high. This month alone, approximately 4.30 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the cave shrine, with daily arrivals averaging between 18,000 to 22,000 pilgrims. The sudden weather change has temporarily interrupted this steady flow of devotees.
Officials have clarified that the suspension is purely precautionary and temporary. Authorities are continuously monitoring weather patterns and will announce the recommencement of the yatra once conditions become suitable for safe pilgrimage.
Important Information for Devotees
Until further notice, devotees are strongly advised to refrain from undertaking the pilgrimage when weather conditions are unfavorable. For those planning future visits, here are key details about registration facilities:
Yatra Registration Counters and RFID Cards
- The 24×7 Tarakote Yatra Registration Counter continues to issue RFID Yatra Registration Cards, allowing pilgrims to register at any time of day or night.
- The Banganga Counter operates to issue Yatra Cards to pilgrims carrying unauthorized or invalid registration cards.
- After 10 PM, this counter also assists pilgrims arriving with valid online Yatra Registration receipts or train tickets for trains scheduled to reach Katra after 10 PM.
Registration Support at Katra Railway Station
- To assist late-night arrivals, the desk at the Yatra Facilitation Counter at Katra Railway Station remains functional until 12 Midnight.
- This service extends to the registration process for pilgrims arriving at Katra via trains that reach after 10 PM.
The authorities remain committed to ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for all devotees once weather conditions permit the resumption of pilgrimage activities to this sacred site.
