Katra/Jammu, September 17, 2025 : The long-awaited Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage briefly resumed today after a 22-day suspension caused by a deadly landslide and continuous heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. However, the joy of thousands of pilgrims was short-lived, as the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) announced a fresh suspension of the yatra this evening due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The yatra restarted early Wednesday morning, allowing approximately 2,500 pilgrims to proceed towards the sacred shrine atop Trikuta Hills. Enthusiastic devotees, chanting “Jai Mata Di,” gathered at the Banganga Darshani gate in Katra town, the base camp for the pilgrimage, eager to complete their spiritual journey after days of waiting.
The pilgrimage began at 6 am via both routes leading to the shrine, following essential maintenance work and the temporary suspension caused by adverse weather. However, by around 5:30 pm, the Shrine Board used its public address system to announce the immediate halt of the yatra as heavy clouds and forecasts of further rain posed safety risks.
An official from the SMVDSB confirmed, “Over 2,500 pilgrims visited the shrine today, and many completed their obeisance. The battery car service operated normally, though the helicopter service remained suspended.” The situation is being closely monitored, and a decision regarding resumption tomorrow will be taken after further review.
The Shrine Board continued to urge pilgrims to carry valid identification, follow designated paths, and cooperate with ground staff. The use of RFID-based tracking cards remained mandatory for transparency and efficient monitoring of the pilgrimage.
Expressing gratitude to the pilgrims for their patience, the Shrine Board said, “The resumption of the yatra is a testament to collective faith and resilience. We remain committed to ensuring the sanctity, safety, and dignity of this revered pilgrimage.”
A woman pilgrim from Maharashtra shared her experience: “We arrived at the base camp from Pune two days ago. The wait was difficult, but we were hopeful we’d get ‘darshan’ before returning home. Today is a very special day for us.”
With the upcoming Navratri festival (from September 22 to October 1) approaching, the shrine is expected to attract a large number of devotees once the weather clears and the route is declared safe for travel.
The pilgrimage was initially suspended on August 26, 2025, just hours before a major landslide tragically claimed 34 lives and injured 20 others, highlighting the need for continuous safety vigilance.
