KATRA: Braving inclement weather, over 31,000 pilgrims thronged the holy town of Katra and paid obeisance at the revered Vaishno Devi Temple atop the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district on the first day of Navratri, officials said on Friday.
“As many as 31,690 pilgrims visited the cave shrine and paid obeisance on the first day of Navratri (Thursday) till 10 pm,” a senior official of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said.
The nine-day Navratri festival commenced on March 19 with great fervour, and officials expect a daily footfall of over 30,000 pilgrims. The festival will conclude on March 27.
The shrine has been beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and illuminated with multi-coloured lights, creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere as thousands of devotees continue to arrive.
Officials said more than 15,000 pilgrims registered for the yatra on Friday, while hundreds queued up at the Bhawan since early morning for darshan.
Despite rain, devotees chanting “Jai Mata Di” undertook the trek along the winding مسیر to seek blessings at the shrine. Authorities said the cave resonates with Vedic chants and rituals, invoking peace, prosperity, and well-being.
To manage the heavy rush, a multi-layered security arrangement has been put in place, involving personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Indian Army, along with 24/7 CCTV monitoring through an Integrated Command and Control Centre.
Comprehensive facilities have also been arranged for pilgrims, including free battery car and pony services for the elderly and differently-abled, along with round-the-clock sanitation, water, and food services.
Meanwhile, the sacred Shat Chandi Maha Yagya has also commenced at the shrine, marking the auspicious beginning of Chaitra Navratri 2026.
