Festive rush: 56,000 visit Vaishno Devi on first 2 days of Navratras

Our Correspondent

Katra, October 14

The Vaishno Devi cave shrine of nestled in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district is witnessing a heavy rush of devotees from various parts of the country and abroad. Nearly 56,000 pilgrims visited the shrine during the first two days of Navratras, which began on Tuesday.

The Navratri festival commenced with the Shobha Yatra in Katra, the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, amid tight security arrangements yesterday. The Shobha Yatra was inaugurated by Minister for Health Lal Singh. A large number of pilgrims, schoolchildren and cultural troupes participated in the festive procession.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Sujit Kumar said additional troops had been deployed in Katra town and along the yatra route while all hoteliers and lodge owners were asked to remain vigilant and maintain surveillance.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has organised the Shat Chandi Maha Yagya at the cave shrine. The Yagya, which is performed during Navratras for peace and prosperity, will conclude with Purna Ahuti on Ramnavami.

The Shrine Board said nearly six million pilgrims had paid obeisance at the shrine so far this year. In September, 6.73 lakh yatris visited the shrine as compared to 4.19 lakh in the corresponding month last year. One of the reasons for the low footfall last year was floods in the first week of September.

The pilgrim count was 78.03 lakh in 2014 and it is expected to touch 80 lakh this year.

Events like devotional song competition, international wrestling competition and laughter show will be some of the highlights of the Navratri festival.