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Vaishno Devi Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir to resume on September 14 after a 19-day suspension due to a landslide that killed 34.
Rain wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday leading to 30 deaths. (Image: PTI)(News18)
Vaishno Devi Yatra: The pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir will resume from Sunday, September 14, after a 19-day suspension, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) announced on Friday.
The pilgrimage to the revered shrine had been on hold for 19 days after it was suspended following a landslide on August 26 that claimed 34 lives and left 20 others injured.
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“Jai Mata Di! The Vaishno Devi Yatra will resume from September 14 (Sunday), subject to favourable weather conditions. For details and bookings, please visit www.maavaishnodevi.org,” the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDB) said in a post on X.
The Shrine Board said that the temporary suspension was necessitated due to inclement weather conditions and essential maintenance of the track leading to the cave temple. The Yatra will resume as scheduled, provided weather conditions remain favourable.
Pilgrims have been urged to carry valid identification, use the designated routes, and comply with directions from staff on the ground. “RFID-based tracking will remain mandatory for transparency and traceability. For live updates, booking services, and helpline support, devotees are encouraged to visit the Shrine Board’s official website: www.maavaishnodevi.org,” the SMVDB said.
The Shrine Board expressed its gratitude to all devotees for their patience and understanding during the suspension period.
The yatra suspension was the longest since the COVID-19 restrictions, with authorities prioritising pilgrim safety and completing restoration work on the damaged track and commercial structures in Katra.
However, tn recent days, the weather in the Jammu region has improved significantly. Repair work on the route to the cave temple is almost complete.
Vaishno Devi Landslide
A devastating landslide occurred on the yatra trek on August 26, which claimed the lives 34 people and left 20 others injured. The disaster struck in the afternoon around 3 pm when heavy rains triggered a massive landslide near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, about halfway along the 12-kilometre trek from Katra to the holy cave atop Trikuta hills.
Questions were raised about why the Vaishno Devi Yatra was not suspended when there was a warning about heavy rain.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said that the Yatra was stopped before the cloudburst hit the track at Adhkuwari.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, located in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir. The holy cave shrine is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the Divine Mother Goddess. The journey to the shrine is a trek of approximately 13 km from the base camp in Katra.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
Katra, India, India
September 12, 2025, 15:56 IST
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