Katra, July 21: The pilgrimage to the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Tuesday as authorities continued to monitor weather conditions amid persistent rainfall and the threat of landslides along the track.
The suspension has left thousands of pilgrims stranded in Katra, anxiously waiting for the yatra to resume. Officials said the safety of devotees remains the top priority and no decision on reopening the track will be taken until weather conditions improve and the route is declared completely safe for movement.
The pilgrimage was halted as a precautionary measure following heavy rains that have lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the past few days, triggering landslides, shooting stones and flash floods in many hilly areas. Authorities feared that continued rainfall could pose a serious risk to pilgrims travelling on the mountainous track leading to the holy cave shrine.
With the yatra remaining suspended, large numbers of devotees have been staying in Katra, hoping for a favourable weather window. However, many pilgrims, citing return travel commitments and other personal reasons, have chosen to offer prayers from the Banganga area and return without undertaking the pilgrimage.
Katra railway station, bus stands, hotels and dharamshalas have witnessed a surge in pilgrims waiting for fresh updates on the resumption of the yatra. Several devotees expressed disappointment over the delay but said they understood the need for safety precautions in view of the prevailing weather conditions.
Teams from the administration, police, disaster management authorities and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have been carrying out regular inspections of the pilgrimage track. Officials said the situation is being reviewed continuously based on weather forecasts and ground reports from various points along the route.
“Pilgrims’ safety is our foremost concern. The yatra will be allowed only after the track is thoroughly inspected and declared safe,” an official said.
The Shrine Board has appealed to devotees not to pay attention to rumours and to rely only on official advisories and announcements regarding the pilgrimage. Regular updates are being issued through authorised channels, and pilgrims have been urged to cooperate with authorities and remain patient until normal conditions are restored.
Meanwhile, the local administration has made arrangements to ensure essential facilities for stranded pilgrims in Katra. Security personnel, health officials and emergency response teams remain on alert to deal with any eventuality.
With the weather department forecasting the possibility of further rainfall in the region, uncertainty continues over the resumption of the pilgrimage. For now, thousands of devotees remain in Katra, waiting for the much-awaited announcement that will allow them to proceed towards the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
