JAMMU, October 12: More than 95,000 pilgrims visited the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir during the first two days of Shardiya Navratri, officials said.
The number of pilgrims increased on Monday, with more than 48,000 devotees registering for the pilgrimage till 7 pm. On Sunday, the first day of the nine-day festival, a total of 47,346 pilgrims visited the shrine, taking the overall number of devotees to over 95,000 in two days.
The nine-day Shat Chandi Maha Yagya, organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, entered its second day with prayers and Vedic rituals dedicated to Mata Brahmacharini at the Yagyashala in the shrine complex. The religious ceremony will conclude with Purnahuti on Mahanavami.
The proceedings of the Maha Yagya are being telecast live on Shraddha MH One channel daily from noon to 2 pm throughout Navratri.
The holy shrine, pilgrimage track and Katra town have been decorated with flowers, fruits, decorative gates and dazzling lights to mark the festive occasion. Special security arrangements have been strengthened to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage for devotees.
The Shrine Board has also introduced facilities for differently abled pilgrims, including complimentary pony and battery-car services, priority darshan and dedicated help desks at key locations.
Arrangements have been made for accommodation, drinking water, sanitation, medical assistance, crowd management, registration and transportation. Medical teams and emergency response personnel have been deployed at strategic points along the pilgrimage route.
Devotional programmes featuring bhajans and bhaints are also being held during the morning and evening Atka Aarti, adding to the spiritual atmosphere at the shrine.
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