Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board throws open natural cave for pilgrims

Jammu: The natural Cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine situated in Trikuta Hills of Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir has been opened for darshans for the devotees since Makar Sankranti, as per practice in vogue, and since then a large number of pilgrims have performed darshans via the natural Cave, by following the social distancing norms and other precautionary measures with regard to COVID-19.

Pertinent to mention that every year the natural Cave is opened for pilgrims on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras and performing other rituals.

Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said that usually pilgrims are allowed from the natural Cave when the daily yatra is below the 10,000 marks.

In this context, the SDM Bhawan has been authorised to regulate the darshans through the natural Cave considering the rush of pilgrims at Bhawan so that there is no waiting and to avoid any inconvenience to the pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is progressing smoothly and since January 1, this year over 5.17 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum.

It is pertinent to mention that the Shrine Board has recently launched many new pilgrim-centric initiatives like online darshan, home delivery of Pooja Prasad, ‘Mata Vaishno Devi Mobile App’, Call Centre etc.

The Mobile App is of immense help to the devotees across the globe to have the live darshans of Maa Vaishno Devi’s Pindi Roop every day during morning and evening Aarti, besides availing various other facilities made available by the Shrine Board through this medium. (UNI)