The weather in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant turn, bringing much-needed rain to the region. Light snowfall has also been recorded on the upper peaks of the Trikuta mountain, where the sacred shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located. The town of Katra, which serves as the base for the pilgrimage, experienced chilly winds and intermittent rainfall, making the journey challenging for devotees.
Fresh Snowfall in Higher Reaches of Trikuta Mountain
Several areas of the Trikuta mountain, including Panch Pandava, Surajkund, Sukhal Valley, Sukhal Nala, and Maridi, received around three to four inches of fresh snowfall. However, no snowfall has been reported in Bhairav Valley, Sanjhi Chhat, or the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan complex so far.
Helicopter and Ropeway Services Suspended
The adverse weather conditions led to disruptions in transportation services. Helicopter services were suspended for most of the day, and the ropeway cable car service connecting Vaishno Devi Bhawan to Bhairav Valley was intermittently halted. Due to persistent bad weather, both the helicopter and ropeway services have been completely shut down for safety reasons.
Devotees Continue Their Journey Despite Harsh Weather
Despite the heavy rain and icy winds in Katra, devotees remained determined to reach the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Authorities, including disaster management teams, the Shrine Board administration, and police personnel, are stationed along all routes to ensure the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims.
8.50 Lakh Devotees Have Paid Homage This Year
The battery-operated car service continued to operate smoothly, offering pilgrims an alternative means of transport. By 1 PM on Thursday, approximately 6,000 devotees had already commenced their pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. So far, in the current year, around 8.50 lakh devotees have visited the revered shrine to seek blessings.
Landslide-Prone Areas Cause Challenges for Pilgrims
Although all routes leading to Mata Vaishno Devi remain open, certain areas along the Bhawan route have become difficult to traverse due to landslides. Devotees are facing obstacles such as loose stones, pebbles, and mud in affected areas. However, Shrine Board personnel are actively engaged in clearing the pathways to ensure a smoother journey for pilgrims.
Decline in Pilgrimage Due to Maha Kumbh and Exams
Local residents speculate that the current weather conditions may soon bring the first snowfall of the season to the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan complex and Bhairav Valley. Additionally, a noticeable decline in the number of pilgrims has been observed due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and academic examinations across the country.
At present, around 11,000 to 15,000 devotees are arriving in Katra daily to embark on their spiritual journey. The sacred experience of visiting Mata Vaishno Devi through the ancient cave continues, with 11,057 pilgrims offering their prayers at the holy shrine on Wednesday alone.