In a much-anticipated announcement for millions of devotees, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) has announced the resumption of the sacred pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine starting Sunday, September 14, following a 19-day halt triggered by a deadly landslide and relentless monsoon rains.
The yatra was suspended following a landslide on August 26 that claimed 34 lives and left 20 others injured.
The decision comes just 10 days before the nine-day Navratri festival begins on September 22, a period when the shrine typically sees a surge in pilgrims seeking the blessings of Goddess
Vaishno Devi.
The yatra attracts over 90 lakh visitors annually to the cave shrine atop the Trikuta Hills in the Reasi district.
This year’s suspension marks the longest interruption since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when the route was closed for nearly five months.
“Jai Mata Di! The Vaishno Devi Yatra will resume from September 14 (Sunday), subject to favourable weather conditions.
For details and
bookings, please visit www.Maavaishnodevi.Org,” the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) announced on X.
The Board further stated that the temporary suspension was necessitated due to inclement weather conditions and essential maintenance of the track leading to the shrine.
The Yatra will resume
as scheduled, provided weather conditions remain favourable. The Spokesperson of the SMVDB advised pilgrims to carry valid identification, follow designated pathways, and cooperate with on-ground staff.“RFID-based tracking will remain mandatory for transparency and traceability.
For live updates, booking services, and helpline support, devotees are encouraged to visit the Shrine Board’s official website: www.Maavaishnodevi.Org,” it said.
The Shrine Board expressed its gratitude to all devotees for their patience and understanding during the suspension period.“The resumption of the Yatra marks a reaffirmation of our collective faith and resilience. The Board remains committed to upholding the sanctity, safety, and dignity of this revered pilgrimage,” the spokesperson added.
However, the three-member committee constituted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to probe the landslide incident is yet to submit its fact-finding report to the Union Territory administration.
