Special prayer at Vaishno Devi shrine marks start of Navratras

Jammu, October 17

A special prayer, ‘Shat Chandi maha yagya’, marked the commencement of Navratras at the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The prayer, organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), commenced on the auspicious occasion amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and performance of other religious ceremonies, officials said.

The ‘maha yagya’, which was being performed at the holy cave shrine for peace, prosperity and health of humanity, would conclude with ‘purna ahuti’ on Mahanavami, they said.

2 Bhaderwah temples open after 7 months

• Bhaderwah: A large number of devotees thronged two ancient temples in this town on Saturday.
• The local management opened the doors of the shrines for the first time in seven months.
• The ancient Mahakali and Maa Chandi temples were closed in March in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. PTI

Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB, Ramesh Kumar and other officers of the board and a large number of pilgrims were present on the occasion, officials said, adding the ‘maha yagya’ would be telecast from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm daily during the festival.

The shrine board has made elaborate arrangements for facilitating a large number of pilgrims who are expected to pay their obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum during the festival. — PTI