Katra/Jammu, Oct 18: The Vaishno Devi cave shrine, nestled atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, has witnessed a remarkable influx of over 1.27 lakh devotees during the initial three days of the Navratra festival. This festival, commencing on October 15 and culminating on October 23, has attracted pilgrims from various corners of the country.
Over the span of these first three days, the numbers have been noteworthy, with around 45,000 pilgrims visiting the shrine on the first day, 41,164 on the second, and 41,523 on the third day. This surge in pilgrim footfall builds upon the steady flow of devotees throughout the year, with over 78 lakh pilgrims offering their prayers at the shrine since January.
The administration and shrine board have undertaken substantial efforts to enhance the pilgrimage experience. One notable addition is the skywalk, elevated 20 feet above the existing track, which has brought much relief to the devotees. This modern facility includes wooden flooring, a waiting hall, seating for approximately 150 pilgrims, LED screens, resting rooms, and two emergency exits. The skywalk also boasts an artistically embellished entrance featuring a portrayal of ‘Nav Durga,’ enriching the spiritual journey for devotees.
The recently remodeled ‘Parvati Bhawan,’ with 1,500 digital lockers, a waiting lounge, and washrooms, is aimed at streamlining facilities for pilgrims and guiding them towards the skywalk. It accommodates around 10,000 pilgrims daily, free of cost.
Furthermore, the introduction of a ‘Bhojanalaya’ at Bharav Ghati on the first day of Navratra has been appreciated by the devotees. The shrine board, committed to the welfare of pilgrims, also operates full-fledged Bhojanalyas at five locations, offering wholesome and hygienic food to devotees at a non-profit basis.
Visibly impressed with the upgraded infrastructure and arrangements, pilgrims expressed their gratitude towards the shrine board. Vijay Sharma, a resident of Delhi, who visited the shrine after nine years, lauded the hassle-free management and the significant infrastructure development around the shrine.
The nine-day festival in Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the shrine, includes a diverse range of events and activities, such as Ramleela, a nationwide devotional song competition, Bhagwat Katha, Prabhat Pheri, Shobha Yatra, a laser show narrating “Mata Ki Kahani,” a wrestling competition, ‘Hassaya Vyang,’ and a program featuring specially-abled children, among others.
