Vaishnodevi Yatra continues smoothly: SMVDSB
Jammu, Sep 18: Vaishno Devi Yatra in Katra town of Reasi district continued smoothly after the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) allowed the pilgrims to proceed for pilgrimage on Thursday amid clear weather conditions.
Later in the afternoon, the board on its official ‘X’ handle, while sharing glimpses of Yatra, posted, “Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra is running smoothly.”
Later in the evening, at around 8.52 pm, the board again shared a collage of panoramic night views of well-illuminated Bhawan, enthusiastic pilgrims standing in serpentine queues, and yatra progressing smoothly with unflinching faith and devotion.
Rush of pilgrims, waiting for long for resumption of the yatra, was swelling, spreading cheer among the trader community and all other stakeholders in the holy pilgrimage.
The number of pilgrims is bound to grow further with the commencement of Navratras, beginning from September 22. Holy shrine draws a huge rush of devotees during the auspicious occasion of Navratras every year.
A detailed security grid would be in place during the Navratras at Katra and enroute shrine, besides deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and a multi-tier security grid comprising police, CRPF, and other paramilitary forces.
Yatra, after having remained suspended for 22 days, resumed on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in Katra town of Reasi district. However, in the evening, the yatra was suspended again, and the board had announced that it would be resumed on Thursday (September 18) morning only in case of fair-weather conditions.
Earlier recommencement of Yatra from both the routes, amid weather-related uncertainty, enthused both the pilgrims, mainly those stranded in Katra town since September 14, and traders alike.
On September 16, SMVDSB, while announcing the resumption of yatra, had cautioned that the commencement of yatra would be subject to favourable weather conditions.
Yatra was earlier scheduled to recommence on Sunday, September 14, 2025. However, due to unrelenting rains at Bhawan and the track, on September 13, SMVDSB postponed its decision to recommence yatra till further orders.
Yatra was suspended amid inclement weather conditions on August 26, just hours before 34 pilgrims were killed and around 20 others were injured in a landslide incident triggered by a cloudburst on the yatra track at Adhkwari.
