3.5 lakh devotees visit Vaishno Devi shrine during Navratri

Over 3.5 lakh devotees from across the country visited the Vaishno Devi shrine nestled in Trikuta Hills in Reasi district during the nine-day Navratri festivital.

The festivities organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) concluded on Ram Navami today. “Over 3.5 lakh devotees from across India and abroad visited the shrine during the Chaitra Navratri to seek blessings of the revered Mata Vaishno Devi,” an official spokesperson informed.

Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board, Vikas Anand, SDM Bhawan; other officials and staff of the Shrine Board, besides pilgrims participated in religious ceremonies performed amidst vedic mantras on Sunday.

The shrine board introduced several initiatives to make the Navratri more memorable. Key additions included smart lockers, free public call booths and complimentary slots for divyang devotees to participate in prayers at Adhkuwari and Bhawan.

Dedicated quotas for helicopter bookings and complimentary battery car services were also provided for divyang pilgrims. Additionally, resting and holding areas were set up at Banganga and Adhkuwari and the dining area at Indraprastha Bhojanalaya was expanded. The ‘langar’ facility was extended to Shubhra Bhawan at Banganga, with all shrine community kitchens offered fast-related food options for visiting devotees observing fasts during the Navratri.

The shrine board made elaborate arrangements to enhance the pilgrimage experience including decorative flowers at Bhawan and surrounding areas. Round-the-clock water and power supply, sanitation and sanitisation measures were ensured along the tracks and in the Bhawan area.

J & K