Vaishno Devi yatra resumes amid Navratri rush; registrations restart at Katra — what pilgrims should know

Vaishno Devi yatra resumes in Katra after a brief halt, as thousands of devotees arrive during the Navratri rush. (File Image)

• Vaishno Devi yatra resumes after brief halt amid heavy rush
• Nearly one lakh devotees visited during Chaitra Navratri so far
• Registration is mandatory; online and offline options available

Did our AI summary help?

The annual pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is back on track after a brief pause due to heavy rush during Chaitra Navratri. Authorities have now resumed both the yatra and on-ground registrations at Katra, bringing relief to thousands of waiting devotees.

Yatra resumes after temporary suspension

The pilgrimage was temporarily suspended on March 21 after an overwhelming number of devotees reached the shrine. Officials said that nearly 39,000 pilgrims gathered in a single day, making it difficult to manage the crowd safely.

With the situation now under control, registration for the yatra resumed early on March 23, around 4 am. Authorities had earlier halted the process a few hours before its scheduled closure due to the surge in footfall.

Despite the brief halt, the yatra itself continued through the night in a controlled manner.

Navratri rush pushes footfall higher

The surge in pilgrims is largely due to the ongoing Chaitra Navratri, which began on March 19 and will continue till March 27. This period traditionally sees one of the highest turnouts at the shrine every year.

So far, nearly one lakh devotees have offered prayers at the temple in the past few days. Thousands more continue to arrive in Katra, with chants of ‘Jai Mata Di’ echoing along the trekking route to the shrine atop the Trikuta hills.

Crowd management and safety measures in place

To handle the rush, authorities have put in place strict crowd control measures across the base camp and the route to the shrine. Multi-layered security arrangements and monitoring systems are being used to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims.

Officials have also urged devotees to follow guidelines and cooperate with on-ground staff for a safe and hassle-free experience.

Shrine decked up for Navratri

The temple has been beautifully decorated for the festive period, with fresh flowers and colourful lights adding to the spiritual atmosphere. Visuals from the shrine have been widely shared on social media, capturing the festive energy and devotion of pilgrims.

How to register for the Vaishno Devi yatra

If you’re planning to visit, registration is mandatory for all pilgrims. Here’s how you can do it:

Online registration:

• Visit the official website of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
• Sign up as a new user.
• Log in and select the ‘Yatra Parchi’ option.
• Fill in your details and download the slip.

Offline registration:

You can also register at Yatra Registration Counters (YRC) in Katra.

All pilgrims are required to carry an RFID-based Yatra Access Card, which helps authorities track movement and manage crowds effectively.

What it means for travellers

With registrations now open again, pilgrims planning a visit during Navratri should be prepared for large crowds and plan accordingly. Arriving early, completing registration in advance, and following official updates can help make the journey smoother.

Despite the heavy rush, authorities say the yatra is proceeding in an orderly manner, with facilities in place to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for devotees.