Vaishno Devi sees huge rush, over 45,000 devotees pay obeisance daily as Navratri fest begins

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has implemented new initiatives to manage the crowd. (Image credit: X/@AIRNewsHindi)

The holy festival of Shardiya Navratri has commenced at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine with immense religious fervour. The pilgrimage is witnessing a significant surge in devotees, with authorities reporting a daily footfall exceeding 45,000 pilgrims.

The shrine, located in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, is adorned with elaborate floral decorations for the auspicious nine-day period. Indigenous and foreign flowers embellish the site. Large pandals have been constructed in the Bhawan area to accommodate the influx of worshippers.

The event is taking place under stringent, multi-tier security arrangements. These measures are designed to ensure a safe and smooth experience for all visitors. The scale of the preparations reflects the expected rise in pilgrim numbers throughout the festival.

According to an All India Radio report, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has implemented new initiatives to manage the crowd. To streamline the registration process, new counters have been inaugurated at the Katra Railway Station. This move aims to reduce waiting times and ease the journey for devotees arriving by train.

Sachin Kumar Vaishya, the Chief Executive Officer of the SMVDSB, formally welcomed the pilgrims. He congratulated all devotees on the occasion of Shardiya Navratri.

The CEO expressed his hope that thousands of pilgrims from across the globe would visit the shrine to pay their obeisance. This expectation of a large international turnout underscores the global significance of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.