Jammu Tawi, Sep 2: The otherwise bustling Katra base camp and route leading to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine wore a deserted look as the pilgrimage to the temple in Reasi district remained suspended for the eighth straight day on Tuesday.
Fresh rainfall was witnessed in Katra and Trikuta hills, the abode of the shrine, on Tuesday.
The yatra has been suspended as a precautionary measure in the wake of adverse weather conditions, officials said, adding the tracks have been closed for all movement.
Although necessary repairs have been completed, the decision to resume the pilgrimage will depend on improvement in weather conditions and the safety of pilgrims, they said.
With the suspension of the yatra, Katra and the path to the cave shrine — once bustling with devotees chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’ — now wears a deserted look.
“The suspension has left the base camp and adjoining areas deserted, as devotees wait for the resumption of the pilgrimage,” local businessman Arvind Kumar said.
He said hotels are mostly vacant, restaurants have almost no visitors, and transport remains idle due to the suspension of the yatra, a period that otherwise witnesses heavy pilgrim rush.
As compared to the arrival of 7,10,914 and 7,48,030 pilgrims in August 2023 and 2024 respectively, this year the number was significantly lower due to the cloudburst on August 26. In July, 6,77,652 pilgrims had visited the cave shrine.
The yatra was suspended last Tuesday until further orders.
Nestled amidst the Trikuta mountains, the Vaishnodevi temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India, attracting nearly a crore devotees every year.
