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New Delhi: The pilgrimage to the sacred cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district will remain suspended, as heavy rainfall continues to lash the region. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) on Saturday said that the planned resumption of the yatra from Sunday has been put off until further notice, citing safety concerns.
“Due to incessant rain at Bhawan & the track, commencement of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra scheduled from 14th September stands postponed till further order. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels,” the board said in its statement.
Officials said that authorities are monitoring the weather conditions closely and fresh updates will be issued once the situation improves. Devotees have been urged to remain patient and place their safety above all else.
The pilgrimage has been halted for more than two weeks after a massive landslide on August 26 blocked the route. The disaster, triggered by torrential rains near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, occurred around 3 pm and claimed 34 lives while injuring 20 others. The incident struck roughly halfway along the 12-kilometre trek from Katra to the shrine atop the Trikuta hills.
Questions were raised as to why the yatra was not suspended earlier despite warnings of heavy rain. Responding to the criticism, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who chairs the shrine board, said the pilgrimage had already been halted before the cloudburst struck the Adhkuwari stretch.
