Katra 17 September :- The sacred pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan officially recommenced on Wednesday, September 17, as per the announcement by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Following a suspension due to inclement weather, the resumption has been met with enthusiasm and devotion, with clear skies blessing the start of the yatra. A large number of devotees were seen gathering at the Katra base camp early in the morning, forming orderly queues to obtain their mandatory ‘Yatra Parchi’ (journey slip) before embarking on their spiritual journey towards the holy shrine.
The atmosphere is charged with devotion as pilgrims, expressing their joy and faith, chant “Jai Mata Di” and begin their trek towards the shrine nestled in the majestic Trikuta Hills of the Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir.
This restart comes as a relief after an initial decision to reopen the yatra on September 14 was thwarted by heavy rainfall, forcing the Shrine Board to extend the suspension for the safety of the devotees. Now, with favourable weather conditions, the long-awaited pilgrimage has finally begun, allowing thousands to fulfill their spiritual aspirations.
