Katra, Mar 25: The holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on Wednesday witnessed a heavy rush of devotees as the ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival continues to draw pilgrims from across the country.
According to official sources, over 2.4 lakh devotees have paid obeisance during the initial days of Navratri, with a steady inflow and continuous movement of pilgrims along the track from Katra to the Bhawan.
Authorities had earlier regulated registrations due to the unprecedented rush; however, the yatra is currently proceeding smoothly under strict crowd management and security arrangements. Adequate deployment of security personnel, medical teams and support staff has been ensured for a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage.
Officials have advised devotees to undertake the journey only after proper registration and to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the administration.
Registration for the pilgrimage was temporarily suspended on the evening of March 21 due to the heavy rush, but resumed at 4 AM on March 22 after the situation improved.
With Navratri being an auspicious period, the number of devotees is expected to rise further in the coming days. The Trikuta hills continue to echo with chants of “Jai Mata Di” as the yatra remains in full swing.
The large turnout reflects strong faith among devotees, with footfall likely to increase further during the festival period. (Agencies)
