In celebration of Sharadiya Navratri, which begins today, the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has been decorated with special flowers and fruits from India and abroad. Garlands of flowers and colorful bouquets adorn the walls of the Shrine, around the sanctum sanctorum, and along the main road, bringing liveliness to the atmosphere. Lights and flowers have been added to the decorations. As evening falls, the Shrine and the pilgrimage route are illuminated. Seeing all this, every devotee exclaims: "Your door is beautifully decorated, Bhavani!" Colorful welcome gates have been erected at the intersections of Base Camp Katra.
The Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, located on the Trikuta Hills, is decorated with vibrant flowers every year during Sharadiya Navratri. This time, the spectacle is so captivating that the eagerness to gaze at it is unwavering. A festive atmosphere will prevail in the Shrine's court for the next nine days amidst such decorations. A large number of devotees arrived at Base Camp Katra on Sunday for their first darshan of the Mother Goddess.
The court was decorated with 50 trucks of flowers and seven trucks of fruits.
400 to 500 artisans were employed in the grand decoration of Bhairav Ghati, the entrance gate Darshini Deori, and other places. Marigolds, roses, champa, jasmine flowers, and fruits were brought from India, as well as Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Bhutan, Austria, England, Canada, Italy, and other countries to adorn the Mata's temple. During the holy Navratri festival, 40 to 45 trucks of flowers are used, while five to seven trucks of local and foreign fruits are also used. 300 artisans were deployed day and night to handle the lighting.
Devotees will be filled with fragrance along the entire pilgrimage route.
As soon as they arrive in Katra, devotees will be greeted by the aroma of local and foreign flowers and fruits. The decorations outside the base camp, Katra, and the natural cave are captivating. Grand welcome gates stretch along the one-kilometer stretch of the pilgrimage route. Statues of deities are also being created at various locations.
Preparations for the Shat Chandi Maha Yagya in the Bhawan Complex
Like every year, the Shrine Board will conduct the Shat Chandi Maha Yagya on the first day of Navratri in the Mata Bhawan Complex. There will also be havans and pujas. Fifty-one priests will perform the havans and yagnas continuously throughout Navratri. The Shrine Board CEO and other senior officials will perform a puja to inaugurate the Maha Yagya. Devotees will also be able to participate.
Volunteers also deployed along the route for security and crowd management.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has deployed volunteers to guide pilgrims, manage crowds, and ensure smooth movement along the approximately 12-kilometer-long yatra route. Additional facilities, including drinking water and medical assistance, have also been provided. Shrine Board CEO Sachin Kumar Vaishya stated that a multi-layered security system comprising the police, CRPF, paramilitary forces, and rapid response teams has been put in place during the festival. He stated that pilgrims have been advised to carry valid identification, follow designated routes, and cooperate with ground staff.
Devotee Numbers Increasing
The number of devotees visiting the Mata has increased over the past five days. While 4,150 devotees arrived on Saturday, 6,100 had left for the Bhawan by 4 p.m. on Sunday. This figure is expected to increase rapidly during Navratri. The pilgrimage, which was suspended for 22 days due to a landslide on the Bhawan route caused by torrential rains on August 26, resumed on September 17.
Helicopter Service Continued Until Noon
Helicopter services for Mata devotees continued to operate smoothly on Sunday, providing convenience to many devotees, including senior citizens and children. The ropeway service from Bhawan to Bhairav Valley and the battery car service from Adkunwari to Bhawan also continued, saving devotees from the trek.
The Shrine Board is fully prepared to welcome devotees during the festival. All arrangements, including security, have been made, while the entire track, including the building, has been decorated as before, and additional stairs have also been constructed to provide a better experience to the devotees.
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