The ongoing Shardiya Navratri festival has drawn an unprecedented number of devotees to the revered Mata Vaishnodevi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir‘s Reasi district, with over 3.81 lakh pilgrims having offered their prayers at the cave shrine since October 11, officials confirmed on Monday. This significant footfall is anticipated to escalate further as the auspicious occasion of Dussehra approaches, a period traditionally marked by a substantial increase in pilgrims visiting the sacred site.
The pilgrimage route has been experiencing a consistent stream of devotees, facilitated by clear weather conditions and a vibrant festive atmosphere enveloping Katra town, the primary base camp for the shrine. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that as of 2 p.m. on Monday, a total of 3,81,000 pilgrims had paid obeisance at the cave shrine. Shardiya Navratri, which occurs during autumn between September and October, is one of the two major Navratri festivals observed in India, the other being Chaitra Navratri.
The yatra, or pilgrimage, is progressing seamlessly, with both the pilgrimage track and the main shrine complex at the Bhawan witnessing a heavy rush. During the initial eight days of Navratri, approximately 3.62 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine atop the Trikuta hills. The remaining pilgrims, bringing the total to over 3.81 lakh, completed their journey on Monday. Daily figures indicate a sustained high volume of visitors, with 47,574 pilgrims on October 11, followed by 48,400 on October 12, 46,558 on October 13, 41,961 on October 14, and 39,951 on October 15. The numbers continued to be robust on subsequent days, with 41,750 devotees on October 16, 48,500 on October 17, and 47,700 pilgrims registering for the pilgrimage on October 18. By Monday afternoon, officials reported that over 20,000 pilgrims were en route to the shrine.
Devotees are availing themselves of a comprehensive range of facilities to undertake the arduous journey, including helicopter services, battery-operated vehicles, pony rides, and the services of pithus (porters). The shrine board has implemented special provisions to cater to differently-abled devotees, offering complimentary pony and battery-car services, priority darshan arrangements, and dedicated help desks. Essential amenities such as drinking water, sanitation facilities, and medical assistance are readily available, with emergency response personnel strategically deployed along the pilgrimage route to ensure the safety and well-being of all visitors. Security arrangements have been significantly enhanced across the shrine, the pilgrimage track, and Katra town to guarantee a smooth and secure experience for the pilgrims. The entire area has been adorned with flowers, fruits, and decorative lights, enhancing the spiritual ambiance.
Meanwhile, in Jammu city, the Mata Kali temple, popularly known as Bawe wali Mata, also experienced a heavy rush, with over 2 lakh pilgrims visiting the temple on Monday, according to officials. Prominent figures who paid their respects at the temple included Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta, Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma, and Punjabi actress Preeti Saproo. They offered prayers for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and across the nation. The nine-day Shat Chandi Maha Yagya, a significant religious ritual, entered its ninth day at the Yagyashala within the shrine complex, with prayers and Vedic rituals being conducted.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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