JAMMU, Sept 22: The nine-day Navratras started today with much fanfare and alongside, the pilgrimage of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi started reaching the holy Katra town in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, which resumed on September 18, has started witnessing an increase in the arrival of pilgrims from across the country who offer prayers at the cave shrine nestled in Trikuta Hills.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims on the auspicious occasion of the beginning of Shardiya Navratras.
The Shrine Board has also beautifully transformed the Bhawan, Atka and surrounding areas into a radiant spiritual oasis for warmly welcoming pilgrims visiting to pay obeisance at the sacred shrine.
The grand decorations feature an exquisite blend of indigenous and foreign fruits, flowers, majestic reception doors and elegantly designed track; besides, the Bhawan area has been illuminated with stunning colorful façade lights, creating a mesmerizing ambiance for devotees.
The Shrine Board has also made elaborate arrangements for facilitating a large number of pilgrims who are expected to pay their obeisance at the sanctum during Navratras.
All the routes leading to the holy cave shrine are fully maintained for smooth movement of pilgrims, officials said.
Nearly 10,000 pilgrims paid obeisance in four days since the yatra commenced from Katra base camp on September 18 morning. It was, however, suspended in the evening due to bad weather but resumed the next day.
Officials said at least 2,000 pilgrims have daily visited the cave shrine.
