Katra 03 September :- The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, located in the Trikuta hills, remained suspended for the ninth consecutive day on Wednesday as the base camp in Katra recorded over 212.1 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, the highest in the Jammu region.
The pilgrimage was initially halted on August 26th, just hours before a massive rain-triggered landslide struck the old route near Ardhkuwari, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 34 pilgrims and left 20 others injured. While the pilgrimage is suspended, the temple itself remains open, with priests conducting daily prayers and rituals.
Continuous rainfall has led to a rise in the water levels of rivers and streams, particularly the Banganga river that flows through Jammu.
Officials stated that a decision to resume the pilgrimage will be taken only once the weather situation improves and the obstacles are cleared from the 12-kilometer-long twin track leading up to the hill-top shrine, ensuring it is safe for pilgrims.