The Vaishno Devi Yatra was temporarily suspended due to a heavy influx of pilgrims during the Chaitra Navratri festival. Over 39,000 devotees visited the shrine, leading to overcrowding and the suspension of the yatra for safety reasons.
The Baan Ganga entry point wears a deserted look after the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board orders suspension of the Vaishno Devi Yatra from October 5 to 7 due to the IMD's inclement weather advisory for Katra.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah surprised devotees in Katra by singing a 'bhajan' dedicated to Mata Shera Wali. He also voiced support for the ongoing protest against the ropeway construction in Katra, criticizing the authorities for not considering the city's interests. Abdullah emphasized that the people have the power to make or break governments and that the authorities are now reaching out to them to discuss the ropeway's location. He added that the core teachings of all religions are the same, and it is often people who misuse religion for their own selfish purposes.
Amid chants of 'Jai Mata Di', the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills resumed in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Wednesday, after a suspension of 22 days due to a devastating landslide that claimed 34 lives and injured 20, officials said.
Following the Delhi blast, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has increased security measures, including deploying additional personnel and expediting verification processes.
A massive landslide struck the old track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, leaving one pilgrim dead and 10 others injured, officials said.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra remains suspended for the fourth day following a landslide that claimed 34 lives. Pilgrims express concerns about safety, while local associations offer support.
Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, known as Orry, and seven others were booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The FIR was registered for violating the law and hurting religious sentiments. The hotel reportedly prohibits alcohol and non-vegetarian food due to its proximity to the shrine.
A rush of devotees at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Saturday morning caused a stampede, killing 12 people and injuring 20 others.
As we continue our climb, I meet 59-year-old Pushpa Devi from Banaras. I stare at her in wonderment when she tells me this is her 45th visit to the temple. She is equally bewildered to hear this is my first visit!What is it that draws her here each year? 'Bas ek shabd hai. Shraddha. (There is just one word. Faith.)'
Abhishek Sharma visited the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra after India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup victory, days after his match-winning fifty in the final against New Zealand on Sunday, March 8.
Two women pilgrims from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh died while a five-year-old girl was grievously injured in a landslide on the new track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Monday, officials said.
The registration at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan in Katra resumed hours after the stampede incident, in which 12 people were killed and several others were left injured.
The rhythmic chants of pilgrims have been replaced with frantic footsteps of those looking for their loved ones in the wake of a disastrous landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine which has claimed 34 lives till now.
The Saturday stampede that killed 12 people occurred 'due to a scuffle between two groups of pilgrims', the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said in a statement, emphasising only 35,000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed for the yatra against the normal capacity of 50,000 in view of the pandemic.
A group of 52 Pakistani Hindu pilgrims on Monday thronged the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir.
The superstar was at the shrine around 11.30 pm and offered his prayers before returning.
Talking to PTI, he said the incident was very unfortunate, and police and other officials responded to the situation in no time.
A record number of over 18.2 lakh (1.8 million) pilgrims have visited the shrine so far since January one.
Following the massive fire that spread to several areas, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board requested the Air Force to help douse the fire.
A day after 12 people died in a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra on Saturday, pilgrims thronged the temple for darshan following 'stricter' guidelines of the authorities.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told PTI that preliminary information from the scene suggests there was a minor altercation among some young boys, and within seconds, there was a stampede situation.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha felicitated international Para-Archer Payal Nag for winning a gold medal at the World Archery Para Series 2026 in Bangkok.
Relentless heavy rain led to a landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least five people and injuring 14, officials said.
In the first week, there shall be a cap of 2,000 pilgrims each day, of which 1,900 would be from Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outside.
Seven pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and three from Delhi were among the 12 people who died in a stampede at Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Saturday, officials said.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration is planning to set up India's best mythological theme park near the famous Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district and has sought investors for the project, officials said.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, however, denied the charge, saying all necessary arrangements were made in view of the expected rush, while Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh blamed a minor altercation for the 'unfortunate' incident.
The first direct Vande Bharat Express service between Jammu and Srinagar has commenced commercial operations, significantly reducing travel time between the two cities and enhancing rail connectivity in the region.
A high-powered probe committee set up by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the site and appealed to the general public to share videos, statements or any other evidence about the incident.
Registration for the Vaishnodevi pilgrimage has resumed after a brief suspension due to inclement weather. Devotees express their happiness as the yatra progresses smoothly.
The bus was carrying pilgrims from outside Jammu and Kashmir to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Katra is the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the famous shrine atop Trikuta hills.
Qualifies for India's able-bodied archery team for Asia Cup
Sheetal Devi, the first woman armless archer to become a world champion, finds a teammate in Payal Nag, a quadruple amputee, who won gold at the World Archery Para Series, highlighting India's growing strength in para archery.
We journey to 10 famous Maa temples, each devoted to a different form of Devi or the female force...
Teenage quadruple amputee archer Payal Nag defeated world number one Sheetal Devi to win gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, leading India to a dominant performance with seven gold medals.
The Jammu and Kashmir government announces plans to introduce nine new tourist destinations and reopen sites closed after the Pahalgam terror attack, aiming to revive and expand the region's tourism sector.
Raina triggered a controversy when he took the name of Mata Vaishno Devi while taking oath
To accommodate the huge number of devotees, a high-tech kitchen has been established at Baba Satyapal Maharaj's pandal, ensuring seamless food preparation and distribution.
'The feeling of love, brotherhood and composite culture exists among you all. I feel sad that the RSS and BJP are trying to break this culture,' Gandhi said in his address to Congress office-bearers and workers at a party function in Jammu on the second day of his two-day visit to Jammu.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances