Jammu and Kashmir: The Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra could not start today after a gap of 19 days due to bad weather and has been postponed till further orders. After stopping the yatra due to continuous rain on the building and track, the Shrine Board has requested the devotees to stay updated through official communication channels.
At least 34 people, mostly pilgrims, lost their lives and many others were injured in a landslide caused by heavy rains near Indraprastha Bhojanalaya in Ardhkumwari on August 26 on the way to Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, chairman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has constituted a high-level three-member committee to investigate the causes of the August 26 landslide. The committee is headed by Additional Chief Secretary of the Divisional Water Power Shaleen Kabra, which also includes the Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police, Jammu. This committee will submit a comprehensive report to LG Sinha after investigation.
Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, on September 13 chaired a joint meeting at the Spiritual Development Center, Katra to ensure uninterrupted pilgrimage during the nine-day Navratris starting from September 22. The CEO said that the Navratri festival is near and the Board expects a significant influx of devotees at the holy shrine and the base camp in Katra. Thus, emphasis was laid on synergy among all stakeholders during the Navratri festival. He also called for action on various fronts for a hassle-free pilgrimage in the coming days.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had announced the resumption of the pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji from September 14 (Sunday) as per favorable weather conditions after it was temporarily suspended due to bad weather and necessary maintenance of the route leading to the holy shrine. In view of this, the cleaning and painting work of the Bhawan complex along with other religious places was done at a fast pace. Most of the staff of the Shrine Board was also deployed. Despite this, due to continuous rain on the building and track, the Yatra could not start today and has been postponed again till further orders.
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