Free 'Mundan' shop for Vaishno Devi pilgrims at devotees Katra's Banganaga: Shrine Board

Jammu: To facilitate the devotees in performing the vital ritual of ‘Mundan Sanskar’ of their child in a convenient and respectful manner, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Monday opened a free shop for devotees at Banganga who visit the Holy Shrine by the conventional route.

The shop, strategically located at Bathing Ghat No. 3, near Geeta Mandir, Banganga, will provide free mundan services to devotees.

The Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Anshul Garg, along with other officers and officials, in the presence of prominent citizens, inaugurated the facility for the devotees.

“In response to numerous requests from the devotees and recognizing the importance of the ritual, the Shrine Board has established this free service as per the directions of the Chairman, SMVDSB Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha, to assist devotees in fulfilling their spiritual obligations without any financial burden,” the CEO said.

He further exhorted that the 'mundan’ shop is a part of the Shrine Board's ongoing efforts to provide free facilities and services to devotees while valuing their feedback.

The shop will be open daily from 7 am until sunset and staffed by experienced barbers from the Shrine Board skilled in performing the ceremony in accordance with traditional practices.

All tools and instruments are thoroughly sanitized to ensure the highest level of cleanliness, while the barbers strictly follow hygienic practices, and devotees can avail of this free service for their kids on a first-come, first-served basis, he added.

The Shrine Board is committed to providing a comfortable and convenient experience for devotees visiting the Holy Shrine, and the free ‘mundan’ shop is one step towards achieving this goal, Garg added.