Jammu: After being suspended for 22 days due to heavy rains and landslides, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage resumed today, Wednesday, September 17th. The resumption of the pilgrimage brought both relief and joy to devotees, many of whom had been waiting for the temple in Katra to reopen. Pilgrims from across the country have begun arriving, expressing their joy that their long wait is finally over and they will now be able to visit the holy shrine.
A pilgrim from Nagpur said, “We have been waiting for the pilgrimage to resume for the past four days. We had tickets for the 20th, but we were about to cancel them. Last night we received the news that the pilgrimage was resuming. I am very happy and will now be able to complete my journey.” May Mata Rani fulfill my wishes and keep everyone happy. Another pilgrim, Umesh, said, “I feel very fortunate that the pilgrimage has resumed. I’ve been waiting for many days and years; it was my destiny to complete this pilgrimage and worship Mata. I was confident that the pilgrimage would resume. She was just a little upset, but I was confident that I would be able to see her.”
The Vaishno Devi Yatra, scheduled to begin on September 14, has been postponed for the 20th consecutive day due to adverse weather conditions. The pilgrimage was postponed due to incessant rain on the temple and the route leading to it. Officials cited safety concerns, as the incessant rain has triggered landslides and blocked the roads leading to the shrine, making travel unsafe for pilgrims. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is also blocked at several points due to landslides and road damage, further complicating connectivity. The prolonged suspension has disappointed devotees, while local businesses dependent on the pilgrimage are also facing difficulties. The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage was suspended after a landslide on August 26 that killed 34 people and injured many more.
