NEW DELHI, Sept 16: Following protests by some pilgrims on Sunday, the authorities have decided to resume the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills on Wednesday subject to favourable weather conditions after it remained suspended for the 20th day owing to inclement weather.
A group of pilgrims staged a protest at Katra base camp in Reasi district on Sunday. The pilgrimage was suspended on August 26, hours before a major landslip hit the route leading to the shrine that resulted in the death of 34 pilgrims and injuries to 20 others.
“Jai Mata Di…Vaishno Devi Yatra shall resume from September 17, 2025 (Wednesday) subject to favourable weather conditions. Devotees are requested to stay updated through official communication channels,” Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said in a post on X on Tuesday. The decision to resume the yatra comes two days after a group of pilgrims staged a protest at Katra base camp in support of their demand for resumption of the pilgrimage.
Earlier, the shrine board had decided to resume the yatra on September 14 but incessant rains prompted it to extend the suspension period. It had triggered protests by some devotees who also made repeated attempts to break the security cordon and undertake the pilgrimage in violation of the shrine board directive.
However, police had foiled their repeated attempt to break the security cordon and undertake the yatra. Some pilgrims, including women, had gathered at Banganga Darshani gate, the starting point of the yatra, in Katra town on Sunday and raised slogans like ‘Jai Mata Di’ and tried to move ahead on the track to pay obeisance at the hilltop shrine.
However, the police force deployed in strength did not allow them to proceed ahead despite their repeated attempts for several hours during the day, the officials said, adding that the devotees were later persuaded to disperse after hard persuasion.
(Manas Dasgupta)