Katra, J&K: The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has entered its 15th consecutive day of suspension in Katra due to safety concerns triggered by continuous heavy rains and landslides in the Trikuta hills.
According to officials, relentless rainfall has caused massive landslides, blocking the trekking routes to the shrine and making the paths unsafe for devotees. The suspension, which began on August 26 after a major landslide near Indraprastha Bhojanalaya at Adhkuwari on the 12-kilometre route from Katra to the shrine, has yet to be lifted.
Authorities have confirmed that the yatra will only resume once weather conditions improve and the pathways are declared safe for movement.
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The prolonged suspension has left thousands of devotees disappointed and has also dealt a severe blow to local businesses in Katra. Shopkeepers, hoteliers, and restaurant owners, heavily dependent on the pilgrimage season, are facing mounting losses. Several have been forced to shut down their establishments temporarily as the flow of visitors has come to a complete halt.
Local administration has appealed to devotees to remain patient and avoid unnecessary travel towards the shrine until further notice.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra, one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir, attracts millions of devotees annually. However, this extended suspension due to natural calamities has underlined the vulnerability of the route to extreme weather and raised fresh concerns about the need for long-term infrastructural safety measures.
