Amid multi-tier security, devotees pay obeisance at Vaishno Devi shrine

Thousands of pilgrims flocked the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta hills as the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival began on Sunday. While 48,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine on Saturday, the numbers are set to increase in the coming days. Heavy security arrangements, including AI-enabled CCTV cameras and drones, have been deployed at the base camp of the bhawan and along the route to avert any untoward incident, officials said.

“There has been a significant increase in the flow of pilgrims. Long queues are visible from Katra to bhawan,” Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), said after attending the commencement of nine-day long prayers amidst the vedic hymns and performance of other religious ceremonies being organised for peace, prosperity and well-being of humanity during Navratri at the holy cave shrine.

He said the shrine board has launched a range of new facilities and upgraded existing ones to provide a seamless experience for devotees visiting the shrine. “The Board aims to elevate the overall pilgrimage experience, offering devotees with enhanced comfort, convenience and inclusive facilities,” said Garg.

He said the new initiatives include smart lockers, free public call booths and complimentary slots for ‘divyang’ devotees to participate in prayers at the Bhawan. “Additionally, dedicated quotas for helicopter bookings and complimentary battery car services have been provided for divyang pilgrims. To ensure comfort in all weather conditions, resting and holding areas have been set up at Banganga and Adhkuwari, while the Inderprasth Bhojanalaya at Adhkuwari has been expanded to cater to 200 devotees. Furthermore, the langar facility has been extended to Shubhra Bhawan at Banganga, augmenting the existing langar sewa currently operational at Tarakote Marg, Sanjichhat, Adhkuwari and Bhairon with availability of fast-related food options for devotees observing fasts during the pilgrimage,” the CEO said.

About 200 smart lockers have been installed near the Skywalk area offering a convenient and secure storage solution for devotees at Bhawan. These smart lockers are linked with RFID cards allowing devotees to store their belongings safely and securely. To facilitate seamless communication for pilgrims, especially those carrying prepaid SIMs, free PCO facilities in collaboration with Bharti Airtel are available at various locations along the track to provide devotees with an added layer of comfort and reassurance, enabling them to stay connected with their families throughout their spiritual journey.

“To mitigate fatigue and provide respite, resting-cum-holding areas have been established for devotees at Banganga and Adhkuwari. These structures with a capacity to accommodate 2,000 pilgrims at a time offer a comfortable and tranquil space to rejuvenate regardless of the weather conditions, thereby revitalising them to continue their journey with renewed vigour and enthusiasm,” the CEO informed.

To ensure a seamless and comfortable pilgrimage experience, the Shrine Board has also made comprehensive arrangements including round-the-clock water and power supply along the tracks, sanitation facilities and medical care. Additionally, pilgrims can avail of facilities like battery-operated vehicles, passenger ropeway and helicopter services for hassle free journey.